Some 42% of physicians are feeling a great deal of stress because of their job, according to the latest exclusive AMA data. It’s a jarring number, but it also represents a significant decrease from more than 55% just two years earlier. Certainly, there is still lots of work to be done, and there are proven strategies for tackling the systemic drivers of burnout that health systems can implement to make up ground on this and other measures of physician well-being.
Physicians who want their organizations to take big steps in the right direction on doctors’ well-being will find a powerful ally in the AMA. As the leader in physician well-being, the AMA is reducing physician burnout by removing administrative burdens and providing real-world solutions to help doctors rediscover the Joy in Medicine®.
That includes the AMA Peer Support Workshop. Taking place Oct. 28–29 at the AMA’s Chicago headquarters, those attending the workshop will gain the skills to build a peer support system that works to improve organizational culture, with real-world relevance, a customizable program template and road map, and engagement strategies.
Support is one of the six domains of the AMA Joy in Medicine Health System Recognition Program, which empowers health systems to reduce burnout and build well-being so that physicians and their patients can thrive. It is designed to:
- Provide a road map for health system leaders to implement programs and policies that support physician well-being.
- Unite the healthcare community in building a culture committed to increasing joy in medicine for the profession nationwide.
- Build awareness about solutions that promote joy in medicine and spur investment within health systems to reduce physician burnout.
The Joy in Medicine Health System Recognition Program is based on three levels of organizational achievement in prioritizing and investing in physician well-being. Each level—bronze, silver and gold—is composed of six domains: assessment, commitment, efficiency of practice environment, teamwork, leadership and support.
Organizations must meet five of six domains to be eligible for a recognition level. Domains must be the same across levels.
What support means to well-being
For the purpose of the Joy in Medicine effort, support involves demonstrating the establishment of peer support programs and also reviewing and changing invasive or stigmatizing language around mental health and substance-use disorders in credentialing applications and processes.
Bronze-level organizations are required to establish a peer support program to deal with adverse events. They are also required to share the current state of their organization’s work to remove invasive questions or stigmatizing language around mental health and substance-use disorders in credentialing applications —both initial and renewal—and peer reference forms. Organizations can either attest to verification through ALL IN/Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes' Foundation or submit an action plan to align their credentialing applications with best practices for removing stigmatizing language around mental health and substance use disorders.
Silver-level organizations have also implemented two or more programs or policies aimed at broader issues of physician support.
Gold-level organizations have developed one or more structured programs to actively cultivate community at work and provided access to confidential 24-hour mental health services or support.
How others have done it
Geisinger is a 2025 silver-level organization. It is also part of the AMA Health System Member Program, which provides enterprise solutions to equip leadership, physicians and care teams with resources to help drive the future of medicine.
To move from getting your feet wet to going knee-deep in well-being work means “building those relationships and strengthening relationships in other departments that are going to help do the work,” Susan Parisi, MD, said in a previously published AMA news article when she held the role of chief wellness officer at Geisinger. Dr. Parisi noted that building relationships also helps in breaking down silos.
“We knew if we were constantly putting out fires, we weren’t going to be able to start to drive our strategy forward,” Dr. Parisi said. “So, part of the initial baseline strategy was to get those supports in place, and a good example is our peer-support program.”
When Dr. Parisi first entered her role as CWO at Geisinger, in Pennsylvania, there were only 17 people enrolled in the peer support program. This signaled the need to expand it.
“We looked at the peer support program and we said: What can we do to improve it?” she said. “We revamped the entire curriculum and the entire training program and made it shorter, more accessible and did a recruitment campaign.”
Over the course of the next two years, Geisinger grew the program to 400 people, “and it’s made a big difference when we’re responding to issues,” Dr. Parisi said, adding that one of the keys was shattering the stigma around seeking help.
“We did the credentialing change, but that is always a work in progress,” said Dr. Parisi, who left Geisinger in January. That is because “once the stigmatizing language is removed from the credentialing documents, the next important step is ensuring our physicians are aware” of it.
Geisinger has since been recognized by the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation as a Wellbeing First Champion, which means its credentialing applications are free from overly broad and invasive mental health questions.
Take your next step on support with the AMA
Download the AMA Joy in Medicine® magazine (log into your AMA account to view) to see whether your organization is part of the prestigious cohort of 164 organizations across 40 states that are currently recognized for their dedication to physician well-being.
If your organization is not yet recognized, there are several tools and resources that you and your organization’s leaders can use to further advance physician well-being and get recognition for the work you are already doing to measure and prevent doctor burnout. One can’t-miss training opportunity is the upcoming AMA Peer Support Workshop, as mentioned earlier. Featured speakers include:
- Heather Farley, MD, MHCDS, AMA group vice president of professional satisfaction and practice sustainability.
- Katie Godfrey, PhD, director of the Center for WorkLife Wellbeing at ChristianaCare
Christine McGuire-Chloros, MS, program manager of Care for the Caregiver, also at ChristianaCare - Alicia Pilarski, DO, senior director of organizational well-being at the AMA.
- Susan D. Scott, PhD, RN, a nurse-scientist/adjust professor at University of Missouri Health Care.
Who would benefit from attending?
- Healthcare executive leaders.
- Well-being, patient safety and quality leaders.
- Peer support program directors or emerging program champions.
- Clinical managers, educators and risk management leaders.
The deadline to register is Sept. 27.
