SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Institutional Strategies to Combat Hospitalist Burnout and Improve Wellness

Pdf Summary

This study examined burnout among academic hospitalists at Froedtert Hospital and the Medical College of Wisconsin, where prior work found burnout rates of 62%, higher than average. The goal was to identify practical strategies to reduce burnout by gathering frontline physician perspectives.<br /><br />Researchers conducted qualitative, semi-structured interviews and focus groups with 20 physicians divided into five groups. Discussions focused on main contributors to burnout, the impact of COVID-19 on wellness, and ideas for prevention. Sessions were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed for recurring themes using Taguette.<br /><br />Three major contributors to burnout emerged:<br /><br />- Exhaustion from excessive workload, understaffing, and constant requests for extra coverage<br />- Lack of control over decisions and required tasks<br />- Bureaucratic hurdles that reduce time with patients and increase time spent on documentation<br /><br />Participants described burnout as being “wiped out” and emphasized feeling overworked and excluded from decision-making.<br /><br />The most common mitigation strategies centered on improving the work environment and strengthening community. Suggested solutions included:<br />- More social interaction and team-building to foster connection<br />- Better communication with leadership and more two-way feedback<br />- Streamlining clinical work and reducing documentation burden<br />- Improving scheduling and staffing, including census caps<br />- Increasing provider autonomy and involvement in decisions<br />- Better workroom/space<br />- Having a wellness officer<br />- Greater consultant support<br />- Financial incentives<br /><br />Overall, the study concludes that burnout is driven largely by excessive workload and inefficient systems. Reducing administrative burden, increasing control, and promoting a supportive, collaborative workplace may improve clinician wellness and job satisfaction.

Asset Subtitle

Parsia Vazirnia

Meta Tag

Author List Brian W. Quinn, Hammad Muhammad, Komal Khoja, Marie Luebke, Mohamed T. Abdelrahim, Parsia Vazirnia, Pinky Jha, Sanjay Bhandari, Trisha Jethwa

Category Research

Concept Physician Burnout

Concept Exhaustion

Concept Loss of Control

Concept Clinician Well-Being

Concept Academic Hospitalist

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Medical College of Wisconsin

Presenting Author Parsia Vazirnia

Track Other

Keywords

burnout

academic hospitalists

qualitative interviews

workload

understaffing

physician wellness

administrative burden

provider autonomy

team-building

clinical documentation

Physician Burnout

Exhaustion

Loss of Control

Clinician Well-Being

Academic Hospitalist