PHOENIX (Oct. 23, 2023) - Banner Health has been recognized as part of the prestigious American Medical Association 2023 Joy in Medicine™ Program, underscoring its commitment to reducing burnout and promoting well-being among health care workers.
The program acknowledges organizations working to improve physician satisfaction, reduce burnout and advance the science behind fighting burnout. Recognition is based on a system’s formal efforts to reduce drivers of work-related burnout. Criteria include a demonstrated commitment to fighting burnout; leadership listening initiatives; a peer support program; formal assessments of burnout, contributing factors and the degree of teamwork present in the organization.
“We are extremely honored to receive this recognition from the AMA and the spotlight it places on Banner as a leader in our commitment to and progress in fighting burnout in physicians and all of our clinicians,” said Peter S. Fine, CEO of Banner Health. “I particularly commend our Chief Clinical Officer, Dr. Marjorie Bessel, who has developed Cultivating Happiness in Medicine (CHIM), an outstanding program that is significantly reducing burnout among our physicians, and Wellness in Nursing (WIN), an exciting new counterpart that is reducing burnout among our bedside RNs.”
CHIM is an evidence-based, multi-disciplinary initiative launched in 2019 to support the well-being of Banner’s physicians and advanced practice providers (APPs) enterprise-wide. In 2021, the health system launched WIN, a program specifically for bedside RNs. Both programs are exclusive to Banner, based on sound evidence and developed and led by Dr. Bessel. She continues to refine both to better meet clinician needs, as Banner builds data on its results.
This year, Banner has seen the lowest Total Burnout Scores (measured by the Maslach Burnout Inventory) since it began measuring in 2018. Its 2023 score of 7.6% is well below the medical professional average of 9.9%. A 2023 Medscape article reported that 53% of physicians nationally said they were burned out. In contrast, just 42.8% of Banner physicians and APPs reported feeling burned out. In 2021, 58.5% of Banner nurses reported feeling burned out, vs. 49.0% in 2022, when the WIN program was in place for less than on year.
“Reducing clinician burnout has been a personal passion of mine for many years, so I am thrilled to see the AMA’s recognition of Banner for our work in this area,” said Dr. Bessel. “All of us in health care need to prioritize clinician well-being just as we prioritize patients’ well-being. Our talented physicians, APPs and nurses deserve nothing less than full commitment to this issue by everyone in the industry.”
Banner Health is one of the largest, secular nonprofit health care systems in the country. In addition to 33 hospitals, Banner also operates an academic medicine division, Banner – University Medicine, and Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center, a partnership with one of the world’s leading cancer programs, MD Anderson Cancer Center. Banner’s array of services includes a health insurance division, employed physician groups, outpatient surgery centers, urgent care locations, home care and hospice services, retail pharmacies, stand-alone imaging centers, physical therapy and rehabilitation, behavioral health services, a research division and a nursing registry. To make health care easier, 100% of Banner-employed doctors are available for virtual visits and patients may also reserve spots at Banner Urgent Care locations and can book appointments online with many Banner-employed doctors. Headquartered in Arizona, Banner Health also has locations in California, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada and Wyoming. For more information, visit bannerhealth.com.
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