BY KAREN BOSSICK

St. Luke’s Health System has been honored for promoting well-being and reducing burnout among its staff.

The Health System, based in Boise with a hospital in Ketchum, earned a silver recognition from the American Medical Association as a Joy in Medicine health organization.

The distinction is granted to organizations that meet the rigorous criteria of the Joy in Medicine Health System Recognition Program, acknowledging the nation’s leaders in prioritizing proven efforts to enhance the well-being and professional fulfillment of physicians.

St. Luke’s was one of 62 health systems nationwide that earned the recognition.

“It’s exciting to be recognized for our well-being efforts and so much more exciting to see the outcomes and impacts to my colleagues,” said Dr. Katie Schneider, St. Luke’s Health System’s medical doctor for Physician and APP Well Being.”

As if to put an exclamation point on the honor, St. Luke’s Wood River brought in a food truck proving there is such a thing as a free lunch for its staff on Wednesday.

The national physician burnout rate has dipped under 50 percent for the first time in four years after peaking during the COVID-19 pandemic that started in early 2020. While encouraging, health care administrators acknowledge that continued efforts are essential to ensure doctors receive the support they need to thrive.

“Physicians are humans caring for other human beings, strained by factors beyond their control and challenged by the enormous expectations placed on them to continuously deliver high quality, compassionate care. There is no doubt change is needed, but what needs to change is not the doctors,” said AMA President Bruce A. Scott, M.D. “A national movement is gaining momentum to transform health care work systems and fix the root causes of physician burnout. Health organizations that have earned the AMA’s Joy in Medicine recognition are leading this movement with bold visions for redesigned clinical systems to foster professional well-being and support quality care.”

Schneider said that St. Luke’s burnout rate is under 35 percent in 2024, thanks in part to the well-being trainings the system has instituted. AMA’s well-being survey showed a 20 percent reduction in burnout over the past two years. That decreases the likelihood of leaving by 15 percent, suggesting a stabilizing workforce, she added.