Physicians face unique challenges when it comes to taking time off compared to other professionals. Their clinical coverage responsibilities don’t pause during vacations because patients still require care. Additionally, the burden of managing electronic health record (EHR) inboxes persists, contributing to burnout by hindering complete disconnection during time off. To address this, health systems must support physicians in taking necessary personal time off (PTO) without EHR obligations.
Jill O. Jin, MD, MPH, a senior physician adviser for the AMA, emphasized the detrimental impact of physicians’ failure to take vacations on burnout rates during the recent AMA STEPS Forward® Innovation Academy’s “Saving Time: Practice Innovation Boot Camp.” Research underscores the link between working while on vacation and increased burnout risk, highlighting the importance of genuine PTO. Moreover, burnout correlates with turnover and intent to leave, imposing costs on organizations.
Transitioning from “pretend time off” to genuine PTO is crucial. Dr. Jin outlined three steps for health care organizations to facilitate this shift, which will be detailed in an upcoming AMA STEPS Forward toolkit and discussed in the webinar “Reducing Barriers To Physician PTO” on June 18.
Normalize the culture of time off: Overcoming ingrained self-sacrifice norms requires leaders to model taking time off and to incorporate respect for PTO into professional etiquette. Praising work during vacations sends the wrong message.
Provide adequate coverage: Organizations must ensure comprehensive clinical and EHR in-basket coverage during physicians’ absence. Responsibility for finding coverage should lie with the organization, not the individual taking time off.
Include PTO in compensation models: Addressing the disconnect between productivity-based compensation and guilt-free PTO is crucial. Organizations need to set realistic expectations for RVU generation, factoring in expected time off to ensure physicians can take vacations without financial penalty.
By implementing these steps, health care organizations can promote physician well-being and mitigate burnout, aligning with the AMA’s mission to prioritize physician wellness and enhance patient care.
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