Samaritan Honored for Promoting Clinician Well-being October 22, 2024 The American Medical Association has awarded Samaritan Health Services the Joy in Medicine Silver Award in recognition of efforts to promote clinician well-being. This distinction is granted to organizations that meet the criteria of the Joy in Medicine Health System Recognition Program and acknowledges efforts to enhance the well-being and professional fulfillment of clinicians. Samaritan’s well-being efforts include the Care for the Caregiver peer support program; optimizing the electronic medical record to enhance the user experience and minimize the amount of time doctors spend in patient charts after hours; and redesigning patient care delivery to allow each clinician to do the work that matters most to them and their patients – known as “working at the top of their license.” “Samaritan is committed to reducing burnout and improving both the clinician experience and patient care,” said Samaritan Health Services Chief Wellness Officer William Barish, MD. “This requires prevention, action, and maintenance at the organizational, team and individual levels. It requires every area of our organization to collaborate with shared intent, making well-being a priority in our daily work, systems and practices.” Samaritan also recently earned a Wellbeing First Champion award from the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation in recognition of clinician credentialing applications that are free from stigmatizing language about mental health care and treatment. “This means that our health care teams and those interested in joining Samaritan can seek needed care without fear of losing their license or job,” said Dr. Barish. After peaking during the COVID-19 pandemic, the physician burnout rate has dipped under 50% for the first time in four years. This is a milestone, but continued efforts are essential to ensure clinicians receive the support they need to thrive and achieve patient care goals.“A national movement is gaining momentum to transform health care work systems and fix the root causes of physician burnout,” said AMA President Bruce A. Scott, MD. “Health organizations that have earned the AMA’s Joy in Medicine recognition are leading this movement with bold visions for redesigned clinical systems to foster professional well-being and support quality care.”The goal of the Joy in Medicine program is to equip health systems with proven strategies for promoting clinician well-being and an actionable road map to solutions that will help clinicians and patients thrive. Since its inception in 2019, the program has recognized more than 100 organizations across the country. In 2024, only 62 health systems nationwide earned this recognition with documented efforts to reduce work-related burnout and demonstrated competencies in commitment, assessment, leadership, efficiency, teamwork and support. Learn more about the AMA Joy in Medicine program.
