New CDC Campaign Asks Health Care Leaders to Take Responsibility for Reducing Burnout

STAT

A new campaign offers health care leaders data-driven strategies to address health worker burnout. Unlike many workplace programs that put the responsibility on workers, the new federal campaign emphasizes the key role of leadership in promoting well-being. While it focuses mostly on what management can do, the campaign identifies both the individual and systemic forces that contribute to burnout, offering solutions for both. For example, it provides an online workshop for improving sleep quality as well as policy recommendations, such as removing mental health history from credentialing and licensing applications. According to experts, burnout is heavily related to work environments, and leaders have a responsibility to set policies and practices that support staff. CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) developed the campaign in response to high rates of burnout among health care workers.

Spark Extra! Read a recent CDC report on health worker mental health.