Abstract Introduction
West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust is an acute and community trust in the East of England. In 2018 it was rated CQC ‘Outstanding' and historically has high levels of staff engagement. However, following anecdotal evidence of rising workplace stress, or burnout, amongst clinical staff -- the trust's public health team and senior clinical leaders collaborated on a strategy to address this. Burnout is associated both with: an increased risk of poor mental health for affected clinicians, an increased risk of poor professionalism and clinical errors, and reduced patient satisfaction. MethodWe used the internationally recognised Maslach Burnout Inventory to survey anonymously senior doctors at the trust. We included two qualitative questions about burnout experiences and solutions. The results were analysed and communicated to clinicians and the executive team. The data and responses were then utilised to raise awareness, secure political engagement and underpin the strategy to address clinical burnout.
Results
49% of surveyed doctors experienced burnout. The survey response rate was 55%. Doctors identified 8 contributory factors: workload, lack of resources, IT issues, expectations, leadership, fear, reduced control and lack of recognition. Communicating the results secured engagement and support from the clinical and senior management team. A cross-organisation task force was formed and mandated to address burnout, using the 8 themes identified to determine workstreams.
Conclusion
Using an public health inspired evidence-based approach to collect content, and as a mechanism to secure support, worked effectively to underpin organisation-wide support to address burnout amongst clinicians at West Suffolk FT. External funding details Not applicable.