Stanford Medicine creates physician wellness leadership position

In response to growing concerns with the nationwide rate of physician burnout, Stanford Medicine is the first U.S. academic medical center to appoint a chief wellness officer. Beginning September 1, Tait Shanafelt, MD, will direct Stanford Medicine’s WellMD Center. He comes to Stanford following a stint at the Mayo Clinic where he led an initiative that saw burnout rates among physicians decline 7% over two years, while the national rate increased 11%.

Established last year, Stanford’s WellMD Center provides programs focused on peer support and stress reduction for physicians, as well as guidance to cultivate compassion and resilience. The center also hosts a dinner series for physicians to explore the ups and downs of their role. The center is also working toward improving efficiency and simplifying workplace systems to relieve some of the burden placed on physicians.

Source: Stanford Medicine