The American Medical Association (AMA) is recognizing the urgency of burnout among physicians, embracing a new policy that encourages more care.
The association recommends states create “safe haven” type programs to encourage counseling and treatment that would complement Physician Health Programs (PHPs) to add more care options for physicians to continue practicing as long as public safety is not at risk. The AMA adopted the policy at its recent Annual Meeting of the House of Delegates. The move aligns with the association’s recent focus on physician wellness.
Burnout among healthcare professionals has reached a fever pitch throughout the pandemic, with nurses on the front lines facing distress and physicians pushed to the brink. Burnout is defined as a high degree of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, and a low sense of personal accomplishment at work. In May, the U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory about the worrisome trend among healthcare workers.
“The public health emergency has again reminded us that physicians and other healthcare professionals on the frontline face high levels of stress. While we are taking care of our patients, we sometimes forget to take care of ourselves,” AMA Trustee Thomas J. Madejski, MD, said in a statement. “We need to transform the culture to highlight how seeking care for wellness is a sign of strength—and we must change policy to ensure that physicians seeking care will not suffer professional consequences for doing so.”
Under its new policy, the AMA will work with the Federation of State Physician Health Programs (FSPHP) and other key stakeholders with the aim to educate physicians and medical students about wellness, including mental health and illness in general. The association stated it will advocate for state guidelines for physicians to self-report health issues without facing discipline from state licensing boards, which could discourage physicians from coming forward. As long as public safety is not at risk, physicians would not be required to report to the boards or there would be a safe haven for reporting. Physicians can avoid board discipline by engaging with PHPs and completing their terms of participation.
In addition, the AMA is working to reform outdated language on medical licensing applications, such as removing questions that focus on “past diagnosis” and replacing them with questions that only ask about “current impairment.”
“To address burnout and stress, the AMA supports confidential wellness programs so physicians and physicians in-training can confidentially access coaching or counseling. Asking for help should not result in reprisals but a determination to find an evidence-based response,” Madejski said.
The association recommends states create “safe haven” type programs to encourage counseling and treatment that would complement Physician Health Programs (PHPs) to add more care options for physicians to continue practicing as long as public safety is not at risk.
Amy joined TriMed Media as a Senior Writer for HealthExec after covering home care for three years. When not writing about all things healthcare, she fulfills her lifelong dream of becoming a pirate by sailing in regattas and enjoying rum. Fun fact: she sailed 333 miles across Lake Michigan in the Chicago Yacht Club "Race to Mackinac."