Advocate Health is taking significant strides toward addressing burnout and fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment for its physicians and advanced practice providers (APPs) through its "Best Place to Care" initiative. With a focus on enhancing engagement and wellness among clinicians, the initiative takes a comprehensive approach to improving well-being by emphasizing transparency, community building and workflow improvements.
"'Best Place to Care' began around 2017, when Scott Rissmiller, MD, began his role as chief physician executive of Atrium Health. This was long before the pandemic, and we were ahead of the curve in recognizing burnout among our physicians and APPs," Suzanna Fox, MD, chief physician executive of the southeast region of Charlotte, N.C.-based Advocate Health, told Becker's. "We knew that in order to provide care for our patients the way we wanted, we also needed to take the best care of our physicians and APPs."
The initiative was born out of a need to improve engagement and well-being within the organization. Initially, Advocate Health's physician and APP engagement scores were below expectations, but by the first year of the initiative, they saw a significant jump from the 40th percentile to the 75th. That momentum has continued, with the most recent engagement scores reaching nearly 80%.
An essential component of this success has been an emphasis on both listening to feedback from clinicians and following through with concrete action. Advocate's transparency about what they can and cannot implement is a core part of its approach.
"We can't always do everything our physicians and APPs ask of us, but if we can't, we make sure to communicate why. And when we do act, we ensure they are aware of it," Dr. Fox said.
Advocate Health has also introduced several initiatives aimed at easing daily burdens and building a stronger sense of community among clinicians. One notable change is the implementation of DAX Copilot, an AI scribe tool designed to reduce the administrative workload for clinicians, allowing them to spend more time with their patients.
"From a community-building standpoint, we've created market gatherings where physicians and APPs can come together with leadership and their peers. It's about creating a space where they feel heard and supported," Dr. Fox said. "We even have family-friendly events that allow physicians to connect on a more personal level. Our recent our recent clinician appreciation event had over 1,000 attendees."
The health system's unique approach also includes tailored support programs for different groups, including women in medicine and mid-career professionals who face challenges. "We've been very focused on women in medicine and mid-career physicians because we know there are different strains and stresses for those groups," Dr. Fox said. "We also have a robust support system in place for those involved in adverse outcomes, ensuring they are emotionally supported through what can be an incredibly difficult experience."
Advocate Health's approach extends beyond traditional wellness programs, incorporating elements like workflow improvements, leadership development and recognition programs that foster a culture of support. Its physician and APP leadership development program, for example, provides opportunities for clinicians to receive additional education to prepare them for leadership roles within the organization, amplifying their voices and contributions.
"We've taken a multipronged strategy, not just focusing on resilience or mindfulness, but also addressing the workflow aspects and creating a culture where our clinicians feel supported. We recognize that burnout isn't just about hours worked, but also about who you work with and whether you feel like someone has your back," Dr. Fox emphasized.
As Advocate Health looks to the future, it's not slowing down. The organization has ambitious plans for the next phase of the "Best Place to Care" initiative, including expanding the use of AI tools and pushing for broader implementation across the enterprise.
"We're continuing to work with our digital team to explore AI solutions that can reduce the administrative burden even further," Dr. Fox said. "We haven't cracked inbox management yet, but it's a priority. We're also aiming for the American Medical Association's Joy in Medicine Gold Award across the entire Advocate Health enterprise by 2025. We know there's more work to be done, but we're committed to creating an environment where every physician and APP knows they are supported."
Advocate Health's five-year strategy reflects this ongoing commitment to evolving and growing with the needs of its clinicians. "Are we perfect? Absolutely not. But we are committed to taking feedback and making changes that will allow us to continue recruiting and retaining the best talent," Dr. Fox said. "It's about ensuring our physicians and APPs can focus on their patients, knowing that we're taking care of them in every step of their journey."