The ultimate endpoint is to create a set of positive work attitudes, behaviours and environments (“culture”) that benefits the patient, the physician, their colleagues and the entire health care system. In a cross-Canada survey of physicians, some of the top reasons for not participating in leadership activities were: they were never asked, no support, and bureaucracy1.
Why is Physician Engagement Important?
Physicians who feel supported and know that their input matters are more likely to collaborate effectively with peers, leading to better patient outcomes and a more cohesive healthcare team. Creating a supportive environment for MDs requires a multifaceted approach that can be implemented in any organization, from a small clinic to a hospital network.
How to Encourage Physician Engagement?
1. Leadership commitment: Leaders must demonstrate a genuine commitment to physician well-being and promote a culture of transparency and respect.
2. Open communication channels: Allow physicians to voice concerns, provide feedback, and contribute to the decision-making process through scheduled all-hands meetings, feedback surveys and regular one-on-one sessions.
3. Recognition and appreciation: Recognizing MDs for their contributions reinforces a culture of appreciation and motivates continued excellence.
4. Work-life balance initiatives: Leadership can bring in policies such as flexible scheduling, and access to benefits such as counseling services.
A title change from ‘Chief Medical Officer’ to ‘Director of Physician Engagement’ may not mean much in the grand scheme of things, but I think that it’s indicative of what the business side of medical practice should be doing: encouraging a positive culture of physician engagement without dictating how each MD sees fit to help their patients.
Author: Dr. Krishna Sharma, Chief Medical Officer, Specialty Medical Partners
References:
1. Perreira TA, Prokopy M, Shea C, et al. Physician engagement, well-being, and organizational culture. Ontario Hospital Association 2021. https://www.oha.com/Bulletins/Paper%205%20-%20Report.pdf
2.Perreira T, Prokopy M and Harel T. What do we really mean by “physician engagement”? Canadian Society of Physician Leaders Vol 6 no 2. https://cjpl.ca/engp.html#edittop
