Ochsner Health is a system that delivers health to the people of Louisiana, Mississippi and the Gulf South with a mission to Serve, Heal, Lead, Educate and Innovate.
Ochsner Health Recognized by American Medical Association as a Health System that Cares for Caregivers
Ochsner Health recognized in the 2021 Joy in Medicine Health System Recognition Program
Ochsner Health is proud to announce that they were selected as one of 44 healthcare organizations to be recognized by the American Medical Association (AMA) in the 2021 Joy in Medicine Health System Recognition Program. This distinction is given to health systems that have demonstrated commitment to preserving the well-being of its healthcare team members by engaging in proven efforts to combat work-related stress and burnout.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic put a spotlight on the importance of healthcare systems supporting team members. A national study examining the experiences of physicians and other healthcare workers who worked during the COVID-19 pandemic found that 38% of staff self-reported experiencing anxiety or depression, while 43% had burnout.
“The past 19 months have been especially challenging for those of us who work in healthcare, and it’s never been clearer just how important it is to take care of our team,” said Nigel Girgrah, MD, chief wellness officer, Ochsner Health. “Having an established Office of Professional Well-Being enabled us to quickly assess evolving needs and respond with expanded offerings in addition to ongoing access to counseling, mindfulness education and decompression zones to help combat burnout.”
Since before the pandemic, Ochsner has and continues to invest in health and wellness, education, workforce development, mental health and economic stability programs to support physicians and staff. Recognizing the unique challenges faced throughout the pandemic, Ochsner has expanded its support, offering additional resources and programs:
- Hosting regular physician, leader and staff virtual open forums and meetings to discuss the system-wide impact of COVID-19
- Fostering open communication through support groups for employees, including digital support groups designed specifically for healthcare workers’ unique challenges at work or at home
- Offering educational webinars and articles on COVID-19, managing stress and more
- Standing up free childcare for more than 1,500 children of employees in Spring 2020 when in-school learning closed in Spring 2020, ensuring that frontline workers could continue caring for patients in need
“The COVID-19 pandemic has placed extraordinary stress on physicians and other healthcare professionals,” said AMA President Gerald E. Harmon, MD. “While it is always important for health systems to focus on the well-being of care teams, the imperative is greater than ever as acute stress from combatting the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to higher rates of work overload, anxiety and depression. The health systems we recognize are true leaders in promoting an organizational response that makes a difference in the lives of the healthcare workforce.”
The AMA evaluated health systems according to their documented efforts to reduce work-related burnout through system-level programs. Scoring criteria was based on demonstrated competencies in commitment, assessment, leadership, efficiency of practice, environment, teamwork and support.
Launched in 2019, the Joy in Medicine Health System Recognition Program is a component of the AMA’s practice transformation efforts, an ambitious initiative to advance evidence-based solutions that fill the knowledge gap in effective solutions to the physician burnout crisis.
To learn more about Ochsner Health, please visit www.ochsner.org. To transform your health, please visit www.ochsner.org/healthyyou.
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About Ochsner Health
Ochsner Health is a system that delivers health to the people of Louisiana, Mississippi and the Gulf South with a mission to Serve, Heal, Lead, Educate and Innovate. Ochsner Health is a not-for-profit committed to giving back to the communities it serves through preventative screenings, health and wellness resources and partnerships with innovative organizations that share our vision. Ochsner Health healed more than 900,000 people from across the globe in 2020, providing the latest medical breakthroughs and therapies, including digital medicine for chronic conditions and telehealth specialty services. Ochsner Health is a national leader, named both the top hospital and the top children’s hospital in Louisiana by U.S. News & World Report. As Louisiana’s leading healthcare educator, Ochsner Health and its partners educate thousands of healthcare professionals annually. Ochsner Health is innovating healthcare by investing in new technologies and research to make world-class care more accessible, affordable, convenient and effective. Ochsner's team of more than 32,000 employees and 4,500 providers are working to reinvent the future of health and wellness in the region. To learn more about Ochsner Health, please visit www.ochsner.org. To transform your health, please visit www.ochsner.org/healthyyou.
