Reducing Burnout Among Healthcare Professionals

As the lead strategist o the project, I used design research to help a healthcare

facility identify practical and impactful solutions to reduce ER physician burnout,

especially as a result of COVID19. I uncovered functional and emotional that

required policy changes, support systems, new processes, and advocacy. I then

recommended a set of solutions that empower, enable and recognize physicians and

promotes their wellbeing as they care for the Canadian public.

According to the Mayo Clinic Physician Wellbeing index, physicians are more likely

to experience burnout than any other healthcare professionals. Using design

research techniques including empathy interviews, group workshops, and photo

activities, I was able to the current and ideal ER physician experience. I realized that

their burnout existed long before COVID19 which only exacerbated the effect of

system issues. I also recognized the need to use a change management approach to

connect the administrative efforts to reduce burnout with the lived experience of

physicians. Identifying the core problems, I designed and ran ideation and

prioritization sessions to arrive at solutions that help create culture of wellbeing.

I provided the client with an implementation blueprint, along with a change

management framework for communication that follows the overall strategic

direction. Our research made physicians feel acknowledged and heard, and

presented more opportunities for a deeper discussion about wellbeing.