How hospitals can keep doctors positively engaged with their work
Physician engagement is viewed as a critical factor for improving the quality and efficiency of healthcare, as well as satisfaction and outcomes.
Individual and work-related factors may be helpful in promoting positive engagement with hospital physicians, according to a study in the December issue of Medical Care.
The study provides insights into the emerging evidence on the characteristics and outcomes affecting physician engagement -- an area of growing focus in healthcare improvement efforts.
WHY IT MATTERS
Building on the concept of "positive psychology," physician engagement is viewed as a critical factor for improving the quality and efficiency of healthcare, increasing physician satisfaction and retention, and improving patient safety and outcomes.
"Engagement" in this case can be thought of as a positive state of mind at work, characterized by dedication and vigor.
A review of 15 studies conducted between 2012 and 2017 identified a range of individual characteristics related to physician engagement. Younger physicians (aged 26 to 35) had the highest physician engagement scores, but more experienced doctors were also more engaged. Single physicians had higher engagement than married physicians. Among physicians with children, men had higher engagement than women.
Several personal attributes were linked to higher engagement, including resiliency, self-efficacy -- or confidence in the ability to get things done -- and optimism.
Work-related characteristics related to increased engagement included higher quality of work life and increased job resources -- for example, high levels of job control and supervisory and organizational support. In contrast, high job stress and high job demands were linked to lower physician engagement.
Based on limited data, high physician engagement was associated with some important work outcomes, including increased job satisfaction, increased work ability and decreased medical errors.
THE TREND
Physician burnout is an unfortunate reality in the healthcare industry, as doctors and clinicians cope with time-consuming technologies and complex electronic health records that infringe on time spent with patients. Luckily, there are innovations that can help circumvent the issue.
THEIR TAKE
Although hospital leadership can't do much to change individual characteristics such as physician age, gender, or family life, knowledge of these factors may help in targeting doctors for interventions to improve physician engagement.
The work-related factors, meanwhile, might be helpful in guiding steps to promote engagement in healthcare settings.
Twitter: @JELagasse
Email the writer: jeff.lagasse@himssmedia.com
