Optimizing Wellness in Academic Emergency Medicine

Authors

Kristen E. Nordenholz, University of Colorado School of MedicineFollow
Al'ai Alvarez, Stanford University School of MedicineFollow
Michelle D. Lall, Emory University School of MedicineFollow
Christine Stehman, University of Illinois, Peoria, Department of Emergency MedicineFollow
Cindy C. Bitter, Saint Louis UniversityFollow
Emily L. Hirsh, Prisma Health/University of South Carolina School of Medicine, GreenvilleFollow
Rita Manfredi, George Washington School of Medicine and Health SciencesFollow
Rosanna D. Sikora, West Virginia University, School of MedicineFollow
Dave W. Lu, University of Washington - Seattle CampusFollow
Leon D. Sanchez, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Department of Emergency MedicineFollow
Matthew L. Wong, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Department of Emergency MedicineFollow
Steven Bird, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolFollow
Andra L. Blomkalns, Stanford University School of MedicineFollow

Abstract

Introduction

Academic Emergency Physicians (EPs) face additional unique challenges in optimizing wellness compared to community EPs.

Objective

Our objective was to explore specific individual and systems challenges that academic EPs encounter that affect their wellbeing and professional fulfillment in emergency medicine (EM).

Methods

An expert group of academic EPs convened in 2019 at the annual meeting of the Society of Academic Emergency Medicine to investigate the overall causes of burnout in healthcare providers, the effects of burnout on the healthcare system, specific causes of burnout in EM, and the distinct challenges facing academic emergency physicians.

Results

We outline specific causes of burnout in EM and the effects of burnout on the healthcare system. Scholarly productivity pressures, variable reimbursement gaps, time allotment, and work-life balance are challenges facing academic EPs.

Conclusion

Understanding the unique challenges of academic EPs in optimizing wellness is vital to inform future research and effective interventions.

DOI

10.18297/jwellness/vol2/iss2/8

Recommended Citation

Nordenholz, Kristen E.; Alvarez, Al'ai; Lall, Michelle D.; Stehman, Christine; Bitter, Cindy C.; Hirsh, Emily L.; Manfredi, Rita; Sikora, Rosanna D.; Lu, Dave W.; Sanchez, Leon D.; Wong, Matthew L.; Bird, Steven; and Blomkalns, Andra L. (2020) "Optimizing Wellness in Academic Emergency Medicine," Journal of Wellness: Vol. 2 : Iss. 2 , Article 8.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18297/jwellness/vol2/iss2/8
Available at: https://ir.library.louisville.edu/jwellness/vol2/iss2/8