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Cited by 192Healthcare professionals’ stress and burnoutStress and Burnout ResearchOccupational Health and Burnout

Effect of Organization-Directed Workplace Interventions on Physician Burnout: A Systematic Review

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DeChant, Paul F., Acs, Annabel, Rhee, Kyu B., Boulanger, Talia S., Snowdon, Jane L., Tutty, Michael A., Sinsky, Christine A., Thomas Craig, Kelly J.·2019·Mayo Clinic Proceedings: Innovations, Quality & Outcomes
DOI 10.1016/j.mayocpiqo.2019.07.006PMC PMC6978590
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Abstract

To assess the impact of organization-directed workplace interventions on physician burnout, including stress or job satisfaction in all settings, we conducted a systematic review of the literature published from January 1, 2007, to October 3, 2018, from multiple databases. Manual searches of grey literature and bibliographies were also performed. Of the 633 identified citations, 50 met inclusion criteria. Four unique categories of organization-directed workplace interventions were identified. Teamwork involved initiatives to incorporate scribes or medical assistants into electronic health record (EHR) processes, expand team responsibilities, and improve communication among physicians. Time studies evaluated the impact of schedule adjustments, duty hour restrictions, and time-banking initiatives. Transitions referred to workflow changes such as process improvement initiatives or policy changes within the organization. Technology related to the implementation or improvement of EHRs. Of the 50 included studies, 35 (70.0%) reported interventions that successfully improved the 3 measures of physician burnout, job satisfaction, and/or stress. The largest benefits resulted from interventions that improved processes, promoted team-based care, and incorporated the use of scribes/medical assistants to complete EHR documentation and tasks. Implementation of EHR interventions to improve clinical workflows worsened burnout, but EHR improvements had positive effects. Time interventions had mixed effects on burnout. The results of our study suggest that organization-directed workplace interventions that improve processes, optimize EHRs, reduce clerical burden by the use of scribes, and implement team-based care can lessen physician burnout. Benefits of process changes can enhance physician resiliency, augment care provided by the team, and optimize the coordination and communication of patient care and health information.

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Authors
DeChant, P. F., Acs, A., Rhee, K. B., Boulanger, T. S., Snowdon, J. L., Tutty, M. A., Sinsky, C. A., & Thomas Craig, K. J.
Affiliations
  • IBM (United States) (US)
  • American Medical Association (US)
ORCID
Venue
Mayo Clinic Proceedings: Innovations, Quality & Outcomes
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2019-12
Volume
3
Issue
4
Pages
384-408
ISSN
2542-4548 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.mayocpiqo.2019.07.006
PMC
PMC6978590
OpenAlex
W2977096402
Cited by
192
References
13
Citations by year
2026: 26 · 2025: 38 · 2024: 26 · 2023: 32 · 2022: 34 · 2021: 23 · 2020: 12
FWCI
3.17
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Mayo Clinic Proceedings Innovations Quality & Outcomes (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
IBM Watson Health
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Healthcare professionals’ stress and burnout
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Stress and Burnout Research
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Occupational Therapy › Occupational Health and Burnout
Keywords
physician burnout, workplace interventions, organizational interventions, electronic health records, medical scribes, medical assistants, team-based care, physician satisfaction, physician stress, duty hour restrictions, time banking, workflow improvement, physician resilience

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