Insights from research
For a recent study published in JAMA, researchers conducted a meta-analysis evaluating existing randomized clinical trials and before-after studies of physician burnout interventions.
Specifically, they assessed the effectiveness of two types of burnout interventions:
- Physician-directed interventions, or approaches that target individuals—such as mindfulness or cognitive behavioral techniques to improve coping, communication, and competence; and
- Organization-directed interventions, or approaches that focus on improving the workplace environment—such as changes in scheduling, workload, practice operation, and decision-making.
The takeaway
It's common for organizations today to try to reduce burnout through physician-directed interventions, such as forming support groups or peer forums, providing physicians with mental health services, and implementing job training and wellness coaching.