The KLAS Arch Collaborative’s study illuminates the persistent challenges of clinician burnout post-pandemic. While burnout rates show a slight decline, they remain above pre-pandemic levels. Physicians highlight workload control, while nurses grapple with staffing issues. EHR inefficiencies exacerbate burnout, but the report offers hope, emphasizing the positive impact of trustful collaborations. Improved staffing, leadership alignment, and targeted EHR enhancements are crucial for early intervention. The study suggests that addressing these concerns can create a resilient healthcare workforce. By focusing on these pillars and fostering collaboration between clinicians and IT teams, organizations can pave the way for a healthier healthcare environment.
The KLAS Arch Collaborative recently delved into the evolving landscape of clinician burnout post-pandemic, exploring insights from doctors and nurses on the frontline. In their study, “Understanding & Addressing Trends in Physician & Nurse Burnout 2024,” conducted between January 2022 and August 2023, the Collaborative aimed to unravel the intricacies of burnout and identify proactive measures for hospitals and health systems.
Current Burnout Trends:
Despite a slight decrease, burnout rates among physicians and nurses remain above pre-pandemic levels, according to the data collected from 20,229 physicians and 32,782 nurses over 20 months. Contributing factors include issues such as staffing levels, alignment with leadership, and electronic health record (EHR) efficiency. The report emphasizes the need for targeted interventions to address these concerns and prevent burnout from escalating.
Physicians’ Perspectives:
Physicians experiencing burnout often highlight factors like a lack of control over workload and a chaotic work environment. On the other hand, those already burnt out cite issues such as workload control, lack of autonomy, and misalignment of values with leadership. This suggests a critical need for early intervention strategies, focusing on enhancing staffing levels and fostering better alignment with leadership to alleviate the burden on physicians.
Nurses’ Challenges:
Nursing staff, while facing burnout challenges akin to physicians, are particularly affected by staffing issues. The study indicates that nurses feeling burned out frequently cite staffing concerns, mirroring the contributing factors identified for physicians. Recognizing and addressing these shared concerns can pave the way for targeted interventions to mitigate nurse burnout.
EHR Efficiency as a Contributing Factor:
The study sheds light on the significant impact of electronic health records (EHR) on burnout, with clinicians expressing frustration over the perceived hindrance to quality. Improving staffing and aligning leadership with clinicians’ concerns are crucial initial steps. Once these foundational issues are addressed, health systems can focus on enhancing EHR efficiency to alleviate daily irritants that contribute to clinician frustration.
The Role of Trust and Collaboration:
The Collaborative’s data underscores the importance of collaboration between clinicians and IT teams in reducing EHR and technological inefficiencies. Trust flourishes and burnout decreases when there is a collaborative effort to address daily irritants. An example from the State University of New York’s Upstate Medical University demonstrates the positive impact of a training program led by the chief wellness officer, resulting in a 10% reduction in after-hours documentation.
The Larger Trend:
Since 2018, burnout rates in the healthcare workforce have seen a steady increase, reaching a plateau in late 2022. While staffing shortages remain a significant contributor, the study highlights the opportunity to prevent excessive burnout by addressing efficiency-related issues, especially those related to EHR, in the early stages.
KLAS Recommendations:
KLAS suggests that organizations focus on increasing EHR efficiency early on to prevent burnout. The report emphasizes the need for ample EHR education and optimized workflows for clinicians, especially when hiring additional staff is challenging. The collaborative approach between IT teams and clinicians plays a pivotal role in alleviating burnout by addressing technological inefficiencies.
Overall, the KLAS Arch Collaborative’s insights shed light on actionable strategies to combat clinician burnout. Recognizing the evolving landscape, the study advocates for early intervention by addressing shared concerns among physicians and nurses. The importance of optimizing staffing levels, aligning leadership, and enhancing EHR efficiency is paramount. Trustful collaborations emerge as a cornerstone in reducing clinician frustration, as exemplified by successful initiatives. By prioritizing these interventions, healthcare organizations can cultivate resilience within their workforce, contributing to a more sustainable and vibrant healthcare landscape. The study serves as a compass, guiding the way toward a healthier and more resilient future for clinicians.
