Abstract
[This is an excerpt.] Health systems do not exist in isolation. Political, market, professional, and cultural forces heavily influence health care delivery, workplace stress, and health worker professional well-being. For decades, health workers have been reporting a loss of meaning in work due to overwhelming job demands and limited supportive resources in the environments in which they operate (Maslach, 2018). In the United States, up to 54 percent of nurses and physicians, 60 percent of medical students and residents, and 61 to 75 percent of pharmacists have symptoms of burnout—high emotional exhaustion, depersonalization (e.g., cynicism), or a low sense of personal accomplishment from work (Jones et al., 2017; NASEM, 2019; Patel et al., 2021). Burnout is a longstanding issue and a fundamental barrier to professional well-being. It was further exacerbated by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Health workers who find joy, fulfillment, and meaning in their work can engage on a deeper level with their patients, who are at the heart of health care (Lai et al., 2022; NASEM, 2019). Thus, a thriving workforce is essential for delivering safe, high-quality, patient-centered care. [To read more, click View Resource.]
This resource is found in our Actionable Strategies for Health Organizations: Aligning Values (Establish a Culture of Shared Commitment).
