Physician Wellness

In remaking the Academy of Medicine of Cincinnati for physician survival in the 21st century, the leadership has focused on four strategic initiatives, one of which is Physician Wellness and an interconnected physician community.

To that end, the Academy of Medicine is joining forces with others in the health care community to address the local and national issue of physician burnout. Under the Cincinnati Coalition for Physician Wellness, all stakeholders will come together and develop programs for physicians and other health care professionals to address crisis situations, treatment, education, and prevention.

The Academy of Medicine will focus on the prevention and education areas by providing resources and information for all area physicians. Programs that require payment will be discounted for Academy members. The Academy's Physician Wellness Workgroup is considering a survey to assess physician needs, especially as they relate to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Academy of Medicine of Cincinnati plans call for:

    • Wellness seminars and education programs
      •  On January 29, 2020, the Academy hosted the local premiere of the film "Do No Harm," which explores physician burnout, depression, suicide, and more. The showing was held at the Kenwood Theatre. A sold-out crowd was on hand for the event that included an expert panel discussion.
      • April 22, 2021 - "Dealing with Mental Health Impact of COVID." Presented by Dr. Paul Keck - CEO of Lindner Center for HOPE.  Sponsored by the Lindner Center for HOPE. 
    • Quarterly newsletters and surveys
    • Counseling, small group meetings, and other support services
    • Social events to promote well-being and more.

The Cincinnati Coalition for Physician Wellness

Recognizing a strong association between physician burnout, the emergence of mental illness and physician suicide, the Cincinnati Coalition for Physician Wellness and several of its health system constituents have partnered with the Lindner Center of HOPE to establish the  Physician Mental Health Program.  For more information on joining the Coalition please contact the Academy of Medicine of Cincinnati at 513-421-7010 or email academy@academyofmedicine.org

The next meeting of the Coalition will be scheduled for the end of July 2021.  More information to come soon!

March 25 Minutes    Summary Of The CCPW

Physician Mental Health Program

This private, rapid access service for physicians in need of psychiatric evaluation is available 24/7 for crisis situations in which a physician would need hospital admission. It also offers a five-day per week outpatient diagnostic assessment and treatment provision or referral. A select group of top psychiatrists and psychologists are available on a daily basis. For more information see the website or for a confidential appointment (either self-referral or referral by a second party) call 513-536-0311.

Untreated mental illness among physicians can pose risks to the quality and safety of patient care, prescribing habits, test ordering, risk of malpractice suits, and patient adherence to treatment recommendations.

 

In addition to the Academy, Coalition members include:

  • Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
  • Mercy Health
  • Ohio Physicians Health Program (OPHP)
  • St. Elizabeth Healthcare
  • The Christ Hospital Health Network
  • TriHealth
  • UC Health

Please continue to check back for more updates to the Physician Wellness program.

Other sources for information on physician well-being:

Ohio Physicians Health Program's COVID-19 Resource Page

OSMA Physician Well-Being Resource Center

The Ohio State Medical Association and its Physician Well-Being Committee are bringing awareness to the growing concern of physician burnout—while also providing workplace programs to assist with these issues. Find out more here.

Ohio Physicians Wellness Coalition

Wellness Video Series with Free CME!
The Ohio Physician Wellness Coalition (OPWC), which represents Ohio physicians and hospitals and focuses on addressing physician burnout, launched six videos in part 1 of its continuing medical education (CME) wellness video series. The wellness video series is available here – for each module completed, physicians are eligible for 1 credit of category 1 continuing medical education.

American Medical Association - Articles, Educational Series

"Physician burnout: It's not you, it's your medical specialty"

Articles

Educational Series

American College of Physicians

Click HERE for the Article

National Academy of Medicine

Click HERE for the Article

American College of Graduate Medical Education

Click HERE for the Article

New England Journal of Medicine - Article 

“Breaking the Stigma - A Physician’s Perspective on Self-Care and Recovery"

Mayo Clinic - Article

"Advancing Physician Well-Being: A Population Health Framework"