A 4-day workweek could be the key to reducing physician burnout
Key Takeaways
Physician burnout is a significant issue, costing the US healthcare system approximately $4.6 billion annually due to factors like employee turnover, productivity loss, and decreased patient safety and satisfaction.
Implementing a 4-day workweek could address some of the economic and emotional strains associated with burnout. However, concerns about stigma, workflow disruption, and professional reputation have prevented successful implementation.
While some facilities have successfully modified schedules for clinical staff, strong leadership and support to overcome the aforementioned barriers is necessary for a nationwide change in physician schedules.
Without about half of doctors reporting burnout over the last several years,[] physician burnout is nothing new—but it doesn't just affect doctors. The patients they treat may be vulnerable to substandard care at the hands of an overworked and emotionally checked-out physician. Unintended costs are then passed on to the healthcare organization and cycled back to providers and patients, making healthcare more expensive and less effective.
Although physician burnout is often discussed, real solutions are slow to bear fruit.
One proposed option to alleviate burnout is allowing for flexible schedules, such as the 4-day workweek model. Other healthcare workers already benefit from a modified workweek—but with such busy schedules, would it even be possible for doctors to be able to reap the benefits of an extra day off?
Physician burnout is a costly problem
Money talks in healthcare. Experts estimate physician burnout in the United States costs $4.6 billion at an organizational level annually, equating to about $7,600 per individual physician. Employee turnover, productivity loss, and reduced patient safety and satisfaction are cited as drivers of this added expense.[]
Consequently, to gain traction and be sustainable, solutions for burnout must bring financial savings from the facility's standpoint. Fortunately, the 4-day workweek makes a good case for reducing costs.
Economic advantages of a modified workweek
According to Francisco M. Torres, MD, the Health And Wellness Director at Florida Spine Institute, switching to a 4-day workweek can offer significant economic benefits.[]
Dr. Torres has experienced the positive impact of a 4-day workweek first-hand and believes it can be a smart move for employers and employees.
In a LinkedIn post, Dr. Torres explains, “By reducing the number of workdays, companies can save on overhead costs such as electricity, heating, and office supplies. Additionally, employees who work fewer hours tend to be more productive, leading to increased profits for the company. The reduced stress and improved work-life balance can also lead to lower healthcare costs and decreased absenteeism.”[]
The financial benefits are also appealing to doctors who gain “more days off without sacrificing their salary like they would have to if they worked part-time,” said Dr. Torres.[] Indeed, dissatisfaction with financial compensation is a known contributor to physician burnout.[]
Research from the Mayo Clinic supports the notion that promoting flexibility and work-life integration is critical to addressing burnout among physicians.[] If reduced work hours mean lower pay, the 4-day workweek mitigates this concern.
Progress for healthcare workers
Some healthcare facilities are implementing more flexible work arrangements in administrative and clinical roles. Mount Sinai has had a 4-day workweek program for nurses and nurse managers since 2022, which they feel improves employee satisfaction and retention.[] The program has grown to 100 different units and practices. Compared to the national average of 22.5% turnover rates and 15.7% vacancy rates for registered nurse positions, nurses at Mount Sinani have 17% turnover and 7% vacancy rates. They attribute this to the success of the program.
Other facilities around the country are moving in a similar direction. For instance, Providence in Washington state has looked into using artificial intelligence to predict workforce needs and enable more flexible schedules in specific units.[]
Challenges remain for physicians
Certain roles are more easily suited for a 4-day workweek, of course. Aside from private practice, where doctors may have more autonomy, the trend has been slow to catch up in many traditional physician roles.
In the past, “flexibility stigmas” have stopped physicians from pursuing alternative schedules. Physicians may worry that modifying their normal schedule will negatively affect their reputation, grant funding, hospital workflows, and professional relationships.
"Work-life initiatives require strong leadership support. Physicians may be reluctant to take advantage of 4-day workweek options unless they’re confident there won’t be any negative ramifications. "
— K Shauman
What this means for you
Physicians may be able to successfully work a 4-day week as long as they have support to make the change. Modified schedules give doctors more days off without cutting into compensation, representing a win-win-win for physicians, patients, and healthcare organizations. The 4-day workweek represents an opportunity for healthcare companies to leverage technology and stay competitive.