How hospitals can boost physician engagement

To boost physician engagement, hospitals must make sure physicians are in tune with their organization as well as with their work, according to Becker's Hospital Review.

Less than half of physicians--41.5 percent--say they feel engaged with their organization, according to a recent survey by Physician Wellness Services (PWS) and Cejka Services, the article states.

The disconnect between physicians and their organization is especially common in hospitals and health systems, Dan Whitlock, M.D., a consulting physician with PWS, told Becker's. "Physicians have a wealth of patient-centered experience and it's a profound loss if health systems fail to harness--or even disregard--this hidden treasure," Whitlock said.

The survey identified several major aspects of engagement that are important to physicians, including:

  1. Respect for their skills: To address this top physician concern, hospitals should give physicians "an opportunity to lead and participate in organizational initiatives," Whitlock told Becker's.

  2. Listen to their opinions and ideas: Although many hospitals hold meetings where staff can give feedback, not everyone is comfortable speaking their mind in that environment, Whitlcok said. "The closer administrators can get to the physician, the better communication works," he told Becker's.  "Attend department meetings, when possible, and stop by an individual physician's office to ask for his or her opinion one-on-one."

  3. Provide a healthy work/life balance: Physicians are less likely to join organizations that don't give them the option of working in shifts, Whitlock told Becker's. To promote good work/life balance, hospitals can use methods like adopting a hospitalist model, providing peer mentors or support groups for physicians or establishing concierge services, he said.

To learn more:
- here's the article
- check out the survey announcement