Investing in the well-being of the health care workforce

Workforce burnout is a long-standing challenge for hospitals and health systems. But when Covid-19 emerged, the challenge magnified as the health care workforce simultaneously managed their own health concerns, added work, and emotional stress presented by the pandemic. Health care leaders are now seeing a workforce that is increasingly burned out and leaving their roles at an unprecedented rate.

Leaders must invest in the space and support for their workforce to recover from their experiences across the pandemic. If staff are not able to restore a sense of physical and emotional wellbeing, health care organizations should brace for continued turnover and a long-term burnout challenge.