Self-care in Health Care: Building Resilience and Well-being Amongst Health Care Providers, Creating Healthier Cultures for Providers and Patients

The science of human flourishing has much to contribute to health care providers and patients alike. Armed with tools for self-care, providers have the potential to thrive in a high-stress environment, while affecting greater patient satisfaction. Highlighting the relevance of promoting positive mental health, health care providers today face great challenges to longevity and sustainable careers. According to Shanafelt and colleagues (2012), in a survey of 7288 physicians assessed by the Maslach Burnout Inventory, 45.8% reported at least one symptom of burnout. Rates were higher amongst physicians when compared to that of other professions. The following provides the basis for an evidence-based program designed to build provider physical, psychological, social health and resilience with the intention of creating personal and professional well-being to positively impact organizational culture and patient outcomes. The program includes objective and subjective outcome data measurements for evaluation, including cortisol levels, blood pressure, SF-36 questionnaires, and HCAHP scores