Employee Burnout: 4 Strategies to Boost Mental Wellness in Healthcare Organizations

July 25, 2023

By CareerSmart® Learning

Employee burnout shouldn’t be taken lightly, we must seek solutions on how to prevent burnout. The Pandemic threw a figurative wrench into all our lives, but no other workforce has experienced its wrath than Healthcare. Doctors, nurses, and hospital staff are still working longer hours and facing increased stress and burnout. As a healthcare educator, it’s beneficial to prioritize the mental health and wellbeing of our employees; we have a profound responsibility to uplift and protect the mental wellbeing of our staff.

Here, we are going to shed light on burnout, provide 4 strategies to guard against employee burnout, and discuss why it is important to prioritize employee mental health.

The Silent Epidemic: Burnout Among Healthcare Professionals

Burnout—an emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion—can sneakily erode job satisfaction, elevate medical errors, and even endanger patient safety. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), burnout is a syndrome resulting from unmanaged, chronic workplace stress. Healthcare professionals may experience burnout due to long work hours, increased workload, and lack of support from management. As an advocate for your organization, it is essential to recognize the symptoms of burnout and provide support to prevent it in your workplace.

Here are 4 plans to alleviate burnout and cultivate company culture:

1. Elevate Mental Health Through Wellness Programs

Combatting burnout begins at a fundamental level by putting a spotlight on mental health. Incorporating wellness programs such as yoga classes, meditation, and counseling services can mitigate stress and foster a good work-life balance. These programs can help reduce stress and promote work-life balance for healthcare professionals. Establishing a culture of open dialogue, peer support, and frequent breaks further enhances this protective strategy. A focus on mental health sends a strong message: “Your well-being is important to us.”

2. Develop a Positive Work Environment

A barrier against burnout is the creation of an affirming, collaborative work environment. Encourage bonding activities, recognize team accomplishments, and foster a sense of unity. Flexible work arrangements can decrease work-life friction and improve job satisfaction. By endorsing a healthy work-life balance, you strengthen your team’s mental resilience.

3. Organize and Offer Training and Education

As Chief Learning Officers, Clinical Educators, HR Managers, or Directors of Learning & Development, we wield the power of knowledge to protect our people against burnout and alarm fatigue. Workshops on stress management, effective communication, and self-care practices fortify our team’s mental defenses. By championing continuous learning and employee growth, we foster a culture of engagement, satisfaction, and resilience.

4. Encourage Professional Help

For employees grappling with severe burnout, professional intervention becomes vital. Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) can provide short-term counseling and support for mental health concerns. Encouraging your team to seek professional help communicates your organization’s commitment to their health and well-being.

Finally, shielding against employee burnout and prioritizing mental health is an imperative that healthcare organizations cannot afford to ignore. By understanding our own signals of burnout, mobilizing support resources, cultivating an affirmative work culture, investing in employee-centric education, and endorsing professional assistance when needed, we can fortify the mental health of our heroes in healthcare.

As leaders in healthcare, our mission is to support a workforce that not only acknowledges mental health but actively promotes it. Let’s embark on this journey today, for a more resilient and mentally robust healthcare landscape tomorrow. Start by joining the conversation on our platform, sharing this article within your network, and implementing these strategies in your own organizations. Together, we can make a difference for the betterment of our company and posterity.