Introduction: Physician wellness is a much broader concept than physician satisfaction, although physician satisfaction tends to be the predominant form of measurement. The purpose of this paper is to offer some key strategies for building a culture of physician wellness in the unique setting of a large, private group of orthopaedic surgeons.
Methods: Organizational culture was assessed formally through validated physician satisfaction surveys and data gathered through the Patient Advocacy Reporting System (PARS program, and informally through organic, organizational initiatives, and responses. In addition, the authors continuously reviewed literature related to physician engagement, satisfaction and wellness, and organizational interventions designed to promote the same.
Results: From 2014 to 2018, overall physician engagement improved and remained above the 90th percentile as compared with the vendor's database of over 95,000 physicians surveyed nationally. Physician resilience, a measure of the predictors of physician burnout, also improved from 2014 to 2018 and is now above the national physician average. During the same time period, significant improvement was noted as it relates to a physician's ability to disconnect and "recharge" outside of work (an important element of overall wellness). From 2016 to 2018, PARS interventions aimed at increasing professionalism and identifying at-risk physicians decreased by 23%.
Discussion: At OrthoCarolina, we believe that developing a nurturing environment with good interpersonal connections is foundational to our success. Physicians within the group also report that supportive avenues such as mentor programs and organized activities outside of the workplace amplified the sense of connection and community within the physician group.
Conclusions: Organizational culture of a physician group is a key determinant of physician wellness. It is imperative to have the full support of the physicians within the organization and its leaders to promote and support a culture of wellness. Data-driven programs create awareness and foster curiosity, which in turn allows for the development of specific initiatives including informal, organic initiatives that build connection and community.