An Evidence-Based Approach for Decreasing Burnout in Health Care Workers
Authors:   , Salalila Leonor 
Published: April 2024

Practice Problem: Health care worker (HCW) burnout is a pervasive phenomenon within the healthcare industry, affecting professionals across various disciplines. Emotional exhaustion is a prominent feature, leading to feelings of being emotionally drained, overwhelmed, and unable to cope effectively with the demands of the job. Additionally, burnout often results in a significant lack of motivation among HCWs, who may struggle to find meaning and purpose in their work, exacerbating feelings of frustration and disillusionment. Consequences extend beyond individual well-being, impacting healthcare organizations with reduced work efficacy, low productivity, increased absenteeism, and high turnover rates. Addressing burnout requires a multifaceted approach, prioritizing supportive work environments, effective stress management strategies, and interventions aimed at promoting resilience and job satisfaction among healthcare professionals. PICOT: The PICOT question that guided this scholarly project was: In healthcare workers (P) how does the HeartMath techniques (I) compared to standard mental health care (C) affect symptoms of burnout (O) within 8 weeks (T)? Evidence: The literature evidence consistently demonstrated positive outcomes in preventing burnout among healthcare workers through the implementation of burnout prevention programs. These interventions equip healthcare professionals with the necessary tools and skills to effectively address their mental health challenges and uphold their physical well-being. By providing support mechanisms and promoting self-care practices, burnout prevention initiatives empower healthcare workers to proactively manage stressors inherent in their roles, thereby fostering resilience and sustaining optimal job performance. Such interventions not only benefit individual healthcare workers but also contribute to the overall functioning and quality of healthcare delivery systems. Intervention: The proposed intervention entailed implementing burnout management-based techniques developed by HeartMath within a primary care setting, aiming to mitigate burnout and address employment-related mental health concerns among staff. The program was designed to provide a sustainable framework for employees experiencing mental health challenges, ultimately enhancing their well-being, reducing absenteeism, and enhancing patient outcomes. This initiative sought to offer practical strategies for coping with workplace stressors, thereby fostering a healthier work environment and promoting the overall welfare of both healthcare providers and the patients they serve. Outcome: The results of this scholarly change project indicated a significant difference in the mean scores between pre- and posttests on the Personal and Organizational Quality Assessment (POQA-R4), suggesting the effectiveness of the HeartMath intervention in improving mental health status and work productivity. The findings demonstrated clinical significance, as evidenced by a notable decrease in burnout levels following participants' exposure to the intervention. These outcomes underscore the potential impact of implementing HeartMath techniques to address burnout and promote overall well-being among individuals in professional settings. Conclusion: The implementation of the HeartMath's burnout management-based techniques within a primary care setting demonstrated promising results in mitigating burnout and enhancing mental health status and work productivity among healthcare professionals. The significant difference observed between pre- and post-test scores highlights the clinical significance of this intervention. These findings underscore the potential value of incorporating such interventions into organizational strategies aimed at addressing burnout and improving overall staff well-being. Further research and implementation efforts in similar contexts may provide additional insights into the effectiveness and scalability of these approaches in healthcare and other professional settings.