National Plan for Health Workforce Well-Being

In the United States, 54% of nurses and physicians, 60% of medical students and residents, and 61% of pharmacists have symptoms of burnout. Burnout is a long-standing issue and a fundamental barrier to professional well-being. It was further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Health workers who find joy, fulfillment, and meaning in their work can engage on a deeper level with their patients, who are at the heart of health care. Thus, a thriving workforce is essential for delivering safe, high-quality, patient-centered care.


The National Plan for Health Workforce Well-Being is intended to inspire collective action that focuses on changes needed across the health system and at the organizational level to improve the well-being of the health workforce. As a nation, we must redesign how health is delivered so that human connection is strengthened, health equity is achieved, and trust is restored. The National Plan's vision is that patients are cared for by a health workforce that is thriving in an environment that fosters their well-being as they improve population health, enhance the care experience, reduce costs, and advance health equity; therefore, achieving the "quintuple aim."


Together, we can create a health system in which care is delivered joyfully and with meaning, by a committed team of all who work to advance health, in partnership with engaged patients and communities.

Table of Contents


Front Matter
Introduction
1 Priority Area: Create and Sustain Positive Work and Learning Environments and Culture
2 Priority Area: Invest in Measurement, Assessment, Strategies, and Research
3 Priority Area: Support Mental Health and Reduce Stigma
4 Priority Area: Address Compliance, Regulatory, and Policy Barriers for Daily Work
5 Priority Area: Engage Effective Technology Tools
6 Priority Area: Institutionalize Well-Being as a Long-Term Value
7 Priority Area: Recruit and Retain a Diverse and Inclusive Health Workforce
Summary and Conclusion
APPENDIX A: Background on the Clinician Well-Being Collaborative and National Plan Process
APPENDIX B: Background from the National Academies Consensus Study Report and Other Reference Materials for the National Plan's Priority Areas
APPENDIX C: References