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The Anatomy of Physician Fulfillment: Strategies Beyond Burnout

Hale, Brook
http://orcid.org/0009-0004-6439-8027
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1727097546464956

Abstract Details

2024, Ph.D., Antioch University, Leadership and Change.
The persistent tension and power struggle between healthcare executives and physicians is a prevalent issue in healthcare organizations, often leading to a culture of organizational mistrust. This dynamic stems from perceived conflicting goals: executives are frequently seen as primarily focused on financial outcomes, while physicians are viewed as resistant to change. This study explored how physician fulfillment is experienced at work, with the ultimate goal of identifying potential interventions to bridge the gap between these groups. There is vast research and literature available regarding burnout in healthcare; this research focused on understanding what physicians find fulfilling in their work and identifying actionable factors healthcare system leaders can address to enhance their fulfillment. Key factors identified from the literature include meaningful patient contact, quality of professional relationships, and organizational decision-making input. At the same time, challenges such as administrative burden and loss of autonomy were noted as detriments to fulfillment. After conducting and transcribing semi-structured phenomenological interviews with physicians, the data were coded for meaning, resulting in 169 codes. The prevalence of these broad themes varied concerning each research question, reflecting the complex and multifaceted nature of physician fulfillment. By identifying patterns and connections in the physicians’ experiences, this study highlighted the importance of addressing both systemic and individual factors to enhance professional fulfillment. Key findings of the study include the importance of humanizing healthcare goals and several directions for iv healthcare organizations: addressing moral injury, improving patient outcomes, obtaining and utilizing physician input consistently, fostering a supportive culture, and creating time and space for peer support. Targeted interventions to enhance physician fulfillment were proposed, aiming to determine strategies to improve physician fulfillment for healthcare organizations since aligning organizational goals with physicians' intrinsic motivations can foster a collaborative and trusting work environment, benefiting both staff and patients. This dissertation is available in open access at AURA: Antioch University Repository and Archive (https://aura.antioch.edu/) and OhioLINK ETD Center (https://etd.ohiolink.edu).
Mitch Kusy, PhD (Committee Chair)
Beth Mabry, PhD (Committee Member)
Alan Rosenstein, MD (Committee Member)
191 p.
Ethics; Health Care; Health Care Management; Health Sciences; Management; Medicine; Public Health
physician; physician fulfillment; organizational change; healthcare leaders; burnout; phenomenology; autonomy; compassionate leadership; change management; culture change; moral injury; organizational culture; decision-making; physician input; humanizing healthcare; healthcare; healthcare management

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Hale, B. (2024). The Anatomy of Physician Fulfillment: Strategies Beyond Burnout [Doctoral dissertation, Antioch University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1727097546464956

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Hale, Brook. The Anatomy of Physician Fulfillment: Strategies Beyond Burnout. 2024. Antioch University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1727097546464956.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Hale, Brook. "The Anatomy of Physician Fulfillment: Strategies Beyond Burnout." Doctoral dissertation, Antioch University, 2024. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1727097546464956

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

antioch1727097546464956
242
© 2024, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Antioch University and OhioLINK.
Release 3.2.12