Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital along with Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, have earned national recognition from the American Medical Association as Joy in Medicine organizations.
They were honored with bronze-level recognitions for initiatives that were developed to promote professional well-being for physicians and clinical staff.
This recognition from the country’s leading physician’s association honors health systems, hospitals, and medical groups that prioritize proven methods to reduce burnout and enhance the professional fulfillment that comes from patient care. Organizations that meet the criteria of the Joy in Medicine Health System Recognition Program are leaders in the effort to transform work systems and address the causes of burnout among health care staff.
Since its inception in 2019, the AMA Joy in Medicine Health System Recognition Program has recognized more than 200 organizations across the country. This year, 109 organizations were awarded; 67 of those in the bronze category. Recognition levels are valid for two years.
In order to achieve this honor, application teams focused on creating effective mechanisms for executive and medical leadership to hear directly from physicians about the challenges and opportunities in each facility, and programs to support and uplift them. The process of creating the required structures for the application was rewarding, and allowed the teams to gain a better understanding of some of the challenges and issues that may have been a barrier to well-being.
Programs include those fostering interprofessional collaboration and responsive action to improve staff experience and patient care. These efforts continue to deliver positive results. Peer support programs engage hundreds annually. Events and communications about appreciation, recognition, and a shared sense of value, take place regularly.
Burnout among U.S. physicians peaked at 62.8% in 2021 during the COVID19 pandemic, according to research. But because of strides made to address burnout at the system level, the national physician burnout rate ebbed to 45.2% in 2023. Despite improvements, physician burnout levels remain much higher than other U.S. workers.  Â
