Researchers Examine Medical Offices’ Solutions to Reduce Burnout

A study of 23 high-functioning primary care practices suggests that implementing solutions that shift from a physician-centric model of work distribution and responsibility to a team-based, shared care model has resulted in reduced physician burnout and improved satisfaction with the practice of medicine. The study, published in the May-June 2013 issue of the Annals of Family Medicine, examined the practices’ unique solutions to proactively plan patient care before office visits using previsit planning and previsit lab results; share clinical care and clerical tasks among a team to reduce the burden on physicians; improve communication; and improve team functioning. Strategies to enhance team functioning and communication include colocation (i.e., positioning work stations of staff who are performing related tasks in close proximity), regular team huddles or meetings, and preferring face-to-face communication over the use of electronic messages.