Transforming the Heart of Practice by Unknown

Author:Unknown
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9783030152505
Publisher: Springer International Publishing

Adventist Approach

About a dozen years ago, AdventHealth , a faith-based, 46-hospital system, with facilities in 10 states, began a journey, under the direction of concerned administrators and physician leaders, to address the issue of physician burnout. The first step was to create what has become known as the Center for Physician Wellbeing (CPW) . Staffed today by two full-time clinical psychologists, CPW provides a range of preventive and therapeutic services for staff physicians, including counseling, seminars, retreats, coaching, and training. Counseling services are private and confidential. Initial visits are provided without charge to the client. Over the past decade, some 1000 physicians have accessed the counseling resources of CPW , resulting in over 10,000 visits for a variety of complaints and conditions, including, most commonly, anxiety and depression, marital and family stress, anger and boundary issues, and addiction and substance abuse. Over 90% of referrals to CPW are voluntary and self-initiated.

It is clear that CPW has been instrumental in relieving symptoms, restoring relationships, enriching marriages, and salvaging the careers of many physicians. While it is difficult to calculate a precise cost-benefit ratio for CPW services, it has been estimated that the cost to a healthcare institution of replacing a full-time physician who leaves practice or moves away approximates at least $250,000. At this rate, the recovery and retention of only two or three physicians who might otherwise have been lost to the practice of medicine more than covers the annual CPW budget. The Center for Physician Wellbeing is a prime example of the principle of “doing good and doing well,” providing a worthwhile benefit to physicians, while saving careers, improving patient care, and generating a measurable return to the institution.

Recognizing that physician leadership is essential to the establishment of a successful initiative to promote physician wellbeing, AdventHealth sponsors an annual conference designed to inspire and equip physician leaders for this work. The 2-day Conference on Physician Wellbeing, now in its ninth year, brings together about 90 physicians and an equivalent number of senior executives from around the company, for 2 days of motivation and education in a collegial setting. Consisting of plenary sessions, smaller breakouts, and table discussion, the conference is intended to be practical, providing readily applicable programs, tools, and resources for local implementation. Topics and issues addressed over the years have included communication and collegiality, purpose and meaning, margin and balance, marriage and family, spirituality and service, and AdventHealth mission, vision, and values.

Physician response has been gratifying, as illustrated by typical responses to the standard conference survey . “Administration looking out for physician wellbeing was eye-opening.” Another wrote, “Very refreshing…focused on emotional wellbeing and patient care.” From others: “New insights to use in reflecting on my own personal and professional situation”; “It’s rare to hear, ‘I care about you as a person. That’s the message I heard.’ ” And, finally, “The highlight was experiencing physicians bonding through candid discussion, hearing each other, and being heard. One colleague shared how impressed he was with the conference and how much it helped him.

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