In a recent episode of the MGMA Insights Podcast, Senior Editor Daniel Williams spoke with Steve Brewer, a healthcare leader with over 30 years of experience, during the MGMA Leaders Conference in Denver. Brewer, who led a workshop on burnout, focused on strategies to address this growing issue in healthcare. This article highlights key takeaways from their discussion and offers practical solutions for healthcare professionals, combining Brewer’s insights with recent research and additional external resources. With increasing concerns about the mental health of healthcare workers, Brewer emphasizes approaches such as humor, movement, and mindfulness to manage stress. The interview is also available as a YouTube video.
The Burnout Crisis in U.S. Healthcare
Brewer emphasized that burnout is a growing crisis in the healthcare industry, affecting not only physicians but also leaders across medical practices. "We anticipate one thing but experience another," Brewer noted, referring to the disconnect between expectations and the realities of healthcare work that often contributes to burnout. Supporting this, a 2023 MGMA Stat poll revealed that 42% of medical practices reported an increase in physician burnout over the past year. The report stresses the importance of staying vigilant by providing wellness resources and regularly assessing staff well-being.
Humor as a Tool for Burnout Management
Brewer uses humor as a unique way to tackle burnout, explaining that it lightens the burden of a serious topic. "Humor helps make what could be a depressing topic not so depressing," Brewer said. Research suggests that fostering a positive and supportive work environment, which includes humor and levity, can improve team morale and reduce stress. Brewer's approach aligns with this by encouraging healthcare leaders to create an atmosphere where difficult conversations around stress and burnout are easier to handle.
Movement and Stress Management: The Power of Physical Activity
Brewer’s background in exercise science plays a central role in his approach to managing stress. He promotes movement, not just as a way to stay physically fit but as a tool to improve mental clarity and reduce burnout. “Getting up, moving around, and circulating blood helps re-center the body and mind,” Brewer explained. His advice mirrors recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which highlights that regular physical activity can reduce anxiety and depression, leading to better mental health outcomes for healthcare workers. Encouraging movement breaks throughout the day can be a simple yet effective way to combat stress.
Understanding Burnout: From Stress to Distress
Burnout develops when chronic stress escalates into a deeper sense of distress. Brewer emphasized the importance of recognizing when stress becomes unmanageable. "Stress becomes burnout when it moves into distress," Brewer noted. This is particularly relevant as healthcare workers face a high level of responsibility, and their mental health continues to be an area of concern. According to a recent report from the CDC, over half of healthcare workers report experiencing at least one mental health symptom, such as anxiety or depression, as a result of their work environment. Identifying this shift early allows leaders to intervene and provide support before burnout takes hold.
Mindfulness as a Tool for Burnout Prevention
Brewer advocates for the use of mindfulness in healthcare, encouraging leaders to adopt mindfulness practices that foster self-awareness. “Mindful meditation helps professionals become more aware of what’s driving their responses,” Brewer said. Mindfulness-based interventions have been shown to reduce stress and increase emotional resilience among healthcare workers, providing a proactive way to combat burnout. Integrating mindfulness exercises into daily routines can help both leaders and staff manage their stress more effectively and sustain long-term mental well-being.
Self-Care as a Leadership Responsibility
Brewer concluded by emphasizing the importance of self-care for healthcare leaders. He shared his personal experience with burnout, explaining how neglecting his own well-being impacted his ability to lead. “I wasn’t doing the best for my team,” Brewer admitted. The CDC’s 2023 Vital Signs report underscores this point, highlighting that healthcare leaders who prioritize self-care and model healthy behaviors are more likely to create resilient, engaged teams. When leaders take the time to care for their own mental and physical health, it sets a positive example for their teams, contributing to a healthier workplace culture.
Resources for Healthcare Leaders
Brewer offers practical resources for listeners looking to learn more about managing stress and preventing burnout. He recommends exploring mindfulness through the eight-week mindfulness program Mindfulness: An Eight-Week Plan for Finding Peace in a Frantic World by Mark Williams, available on Amazon. Additionally, Brewer suggests visiting the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley, which provides a wealth of resources on positive psychology, job crafting, and relationship-building to help leaders foster well-being in their organizations.
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