Transforming the Heart of Practice

Abstract

Burnout has been a recent trending topic not only in the health care setting but in the general workplace as well. A PubMed search for “physician burnout” shows over 300 publications per year since 2016, whereas fewer than 100 papers per year were published before 2008. In this context, the book Transforming the Heart of Practice is a relevant read for both health care workers and administrators alike. The book consists of 28 chapters divided into 6 large sections, addressing general physician well-being, burnout, and interventions for prevention and treatment. Both paperback and eBook versions are available. This is a review of the eBook, but the paperback version appears essentially the same when looking at online seller previews or samples of the paperback. The editors of the book are Dr Dianne E. McCallister and Dr Ted Hamilton. Dr Dianne McCallister is a board-certified Internist at The Medical Center of Aurora in Colorado. She received her MD and MBA from the University of Denver. Dr McCallister has been at the Medical Center of Aurora since 2013 and serves as the Chief Medical Officer and Patient Safety Officer. She pioneered a comprehensive Physician Wellbeing and Engagement program at the hospital, which has led the facility to become the first of 4 hospitals in the United States to receive the Medicus Integra Award from the Coalition for Physician Wellbeing. Of note, Physician Satisfaction at the Medical Center of Aurora has shown a significant increase across all metrics in the time she has been there. Dr Ted Hamilton is a graduate of the Loma Linda University School of Medicine. He completed residency training in family medicine at Florida Hospital and earned an MBA from Rollins College Crummer Graduate School of Business. Dr Hamilton is currently the vice president of Adventist Health System, FL. He is committed to working with hospitals to improve the quality of patient care as well as physician satisfaction by reducing burnout through enhanced balancing of personal and professional lives. He believes the most important step in treating the epidemic of burnout is acknowledgment and an actionable plan. Under his direction, a physician support services (PSS) department was created at Adventist which has helped as many as 1000 physicians at the health system over the years. Dr Hamilton is a pioneer in the field and has authored several papers on the topic of physician well-being and burnout. Part I delves into the general problem of physician burnout. The first 3 chapters explore the reasons for increasing rates of burnout, the current body of research on this topic, and the effects of burnout on physicians and on patient care. Part II describes the workplace culture and environment requisite for promoting physician well-being. These consist of factors such as an environment of accountability, respect, and trust. One of the highlights of this section delineates the importance of physician integration and the obligation to create achievable avenues to raise and address physician concerns. Part III equips health care organizations with specific ideas and guidelines for implementing programs for physician well-being. One extremely interesting and enlightening chapter examines common physician characteristics and correlates how these should be considered when creating physician wellness programs. In summary, the first 3 parts are most pertinent for readers who want to learn about physician well-being, burnout, and possible solutions. Parts IV–VI expound on these topics with vignettes from home and hospital that the authors have deemed effective and successful initiatives and programs. Part VI consists of a relatable compilation of personal accounts from physicians, chronicling their work in relation to family, pregnancy, and childcare. The final chapter closes with the dark consequences of burnout which include mental illness, substance abuse, and domestic violence. Overall, the book presents the topic in an organized and easy-to-read format that helps elucidate the distinct issues concerning physician well-being and burnout. The main merit of this book stems from the numerous personal anecdotes and experiences within various health care organizations, providing pearls and lessons for creating and implementing successful physician wellness programs. This compelling book could serve as a primer for beginners embarking on a journey to explore wellness. Moreover, it also serves as a comprehensive overview for veterans in the field in search of a cohesive synopsis of the increasingly important topic. Luis E. Tollinche, MD, FASAHoward Teng, MDCindy B. Yeoh, MD, FASADepartment of Anesthesiology and Critical Care MedicineMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterNew York, New YorkDepartment of AnesthesiologyWeill Cornell Medical CollegeNew York, New York[email protected]