Annual Report 2021 - Making improvements to the work environment - Implementing leader competencies and responding to research on engagement and burnout

MAKING IMPROVEMENTS TO THE WORK ENVIRONMENT
IMPLEMENTING LEADER COMPETENCIES AND RESPONDING TO RESEARCH ON ENGAGEMENT AND BURNOUT

Packed work days, time pressures, and emotional intensity can put clinicians at high risk for burnout. Burnout is a long-term stress reaction which can include emotional exhaustion, de-personalization, and a lack of sense of personal accomplishment.

At the beginning of 2019, Waypoint was one of five participating hospitals selected by the Ontario Hospital Association to participate in a research study with the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence (YCEI) to assess staff engagement, burnout and emotional intelligence. Study findings were presented to leaders and staff in the fall of 2020, and individual reports were shared with programs and departments this past winter. A group of internal experts are working with leaders and teams on action plans to improve the work environment and patient care.

To be successful in moving this initiative forward, our leaders must start with a common understanding, common language, and standard leadership practices. The ongoing implementation of Leader Standard Work is embedding these concepts into the fabric of our culture. This work aims to “do things differently” to help engage and inspire staff, train and develop leaders, and achieve results.

As the pandemic continues to present significant challenges for all of health care, the hospital continues to have staff engagement focused on reducing burnout, and improving a culture of trust as strategic priorities.