On May 29, 2019, for the first time in the history of medicine, The World Health Organization (WHO) recognized Burnout Syndrome as an official medical diagnosis.
According to WHO, Burnout Syndrome leads to a prolonged response to chronic interpersonal stressors on the job — resulting in overwhelming exhaustion, feelings of cynicism, detachment from the job, and a sense of ineffectiveness and lack of accomplishment.
Less than five months later, on October 23, 2019, the National Academy of Medicine (NAM), one of the country’s most prestigious medical institutions, released a 312-page report titled: Taking Action Against Clinician Burnout: A Systems Approach to Professional Well-Being. The link is: (https://nam.edu/event/taking-action-against-clinician-burnout-a-systems-approach-to-professional-well-being-report-release-event/)
This report disclosed, as many as half of the country’s doctors and nurses, experience substantial symptoms of Burnout, that result in increase risks to patients, malpractice claims, worker absenteeism and turnover, as well as billions of dollars in losses to the medical industry each year.
AIM I: Includes supporting the goals recommended by the National Academy of Medicine, and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine:
1. Create Positive Work Environments.
2. Create Positive Learning Environments.
3. Reduce Administrative Burden.
4. Enable Technology Solutions.
5. Provide Support to Clinicians and Learners.
6. Invest in Research.
