New educational modules from the AMA offer proven strategies for health care organizations to support physicians’ well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization said in a news release. Topics include caring for health care workers during a crisis, creating a chief wellness officer position and physician peer support programs, and patient portal optimization. 

Caring for the health care workforce during crisis
Unexpected crises, emergencies and calamities are inherently stressful and often involve uncertainty, unpredictability and increased work intensity that takes a toll on physicians and care teams. Such events require health care organizations to take proactive actions to successfully support the well-being of health care professionals and preserve patient care capacity. This module helps health care organizations take steps before, during and after a crisis that will help physicians and care teams cope during a time of acute stress.

Establishing a chief wellness officer position
Vanguard health care organizations are relying on a new executive level position known as the chief wellness officer (CWO) to implement leadership strategies for professional well-being. These executives can play a crucial role in creating the organizational groundwork for professional well-being. This module offers a step-by-step guide to help health care organizations establish and maintain a CWO position and CWO-led care team.

Chief wellness officer roadmap
The CWO is called on to develop organizational strategies and guide system-wide efforts to improve professional fulfillment and well-being. This module outlines a step-by-step approach to help new CWOs navigate organizational success and improve the practice environment.

Peer support programs for physicians
Peer support in clinical medicine is crucial during times of significant stress and is an essential component of this cultural change within a health care organization. This module is designed to help health care organizations establish a peer support program to mitigate the emotional impact of stressful events on physicians and clinical teams.

Patient portal optimization
The pandemic requires the use of technology that empowers patients to be partners in care while practicing physical distancing with their physician and care teams. Patient portals can benefit patients and physicians by improving communication, accessibility and efficiency, which can reduce office visits and lead to more coordinated, less-expensive care. This module offers five steps for patient portal optimization that can improve a remote partnership between patients and their treating physicians.

The AMA is also offering two free surveys to help health care organizations monitor the impact COVID-19 has on their staff during this pandemic. The surveys can be used to track trends in stress levels, identify specific drivers of stress and develop supportive infrastructures based on these drivers.

Other AMA resources can help physicians manage their own mental health and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic and provide practical strategies for health system leaders to support their physicians and care teams during COVID-19.