Stress and provider retention in underserved communities

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

8-2009

Journal

Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved

Volume

Volume 20, Issue 3

Inclusive Pages

597-604

Keywords

Burnout, Professional; Community Health Centers--manpower; Medically Underserved Area; Personnel Turnover; Workforce Issues; Safety Net; Community Health Centers

Abstract

Clinicians and staff in health care organizations experience stress and burnout
due to both job conditions and unique pressures of the medical field. Stress and
burnout have consequences not only for the health and wellness of employees but for patients through poor quality care. Health care organizations and systems are affected when it causes decreased productivity and even attrition. In safety net health centers, the loss of clinicians and staff and decreased productivity further strain an already resource-poor system, creating a vicious cycle as more demands are placed on those who remain. Acutely aware of this phenomenon, the Association of Clinicians for the Underserved (ACU) sought to better understand stress and burnout experienced by its members in hopes of developing strategies and interventions to break this cycle. This column describes the initial findings from a survey conducted to assess stress and
burnout among ACU members.

Peer Reviewed

1

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