Every day, millions of Americans interact with doctors and nurses, many of whom are on the frontlines as health care workers face increased rates of workplace violence, stress, and burnout. are not aware of the long-term impact that this has on the health care system.
Even with the COVID-19 pandemic in the rearview mirror, healthcare workers are experiencing: Chronic understaffing, unfavorable or dangerous working conditions, and unrelenting workloads. As a result, an estimated 46% of healthcare workers report mental health issues such as burnout and depression, which directly impacts the quality of patient care.
While the workforce is shrinking, demand for healthcare is skyrocketing. In fact, 23% of doctors and at least 30% of nurses say they would quit their jobs if they could, and 50% of workers say they plan to quit their healthcare jobs in the next few years. did.
Our nation is on the brink of health care system collapse, and we must support Congress' efforts to protect the health, safety, and well-being of our health care workers.
The need for strong policies to protect frontline healthcare workers is more important than ever. That's why I'm strengthening two bipartisan initiatives currently proposed by Congress: the Health Care Workers Health Awareness Day Resolution and Dr. Lorna Breen's Reauthorization of the Health Care Provider Protection Act.
Together, we can drive action to address the mental health crisis in our healthcare system. Investing in solutions represents hope for future generations of healthcare workers who deserve our unwavering support and respect.
Here at the College of Public Health, we are celebrating our first Health Care Worker Wellbeing Day this Monday, March 18th, in support of the resolution to honor health care workers across the country and make this a nationally recognized day. Celebrate Awareness Day. In February, a bipartisan group led by Sens. Tim Kaine and Todd Young introduced a resolution declaring this awareness day in honor of all health care workers who serve our communities.
This year, Mason's College of Public Health is proud to join the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) in leading the way in celebrating Health Workers Welfare Day 2024.
March 18th marks the second anniversary of the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act. Named after Dr. Lorna Breen, an emergency room doctor who took her own life at the height of the pandemic, this bipartisan, bicameral reauthorization effort will help millions of people dedicated to promoting health, healing, and healthcare. It represents the American people's support and respect for human resources experts. Prevention.
The Breen Act emphasizes the continued urgency to reduce and prevent burnout, suicide, and mental health conditions experienced by doctors, nurses, first responders, and other front-line professionals . Our continued investment in the well-being of our healthcare workers shows that the American people have their back.
As Americans, we want to provide the best health care in the world, and we need a healthy and thriving workforce to provide that care. To support health care workers, researchers at George Mason University have developed and implemented evidence-based workplace practices to support the health, safety, and well-being of health care workers. This includes developing training programs and interventions to help employers recognize and address stress, burnout, and other mental health issues. Research-backed strategies include creating a supportive work environment, redesigning job functions and work structures, and leveraging digital technology to provide resilient self-care and burnout prevention training .
These two bipartisan efforts by Congress are just the first steps. Congress should also consider additional policy options to support the health, safety, and well-being of health care workers. This could include improving nurse-to-patient staffing ratios, preventing workplace violence, and increasing reimbursement for certain health services, such as primary care, care coordination, and mental health. Individual organizations have already begun implementing policies in these areas, and changes in national policy could help more healthcare workers and lead to better patient care.
Now is the time to raise awareness in America and protect our healthcare workers. As a result, we are also investing in our health system and our own future, because employee safety and well-being and patient safety are inextricably linked.
Improving mental health and preventing suicide are issues that are very close to my heart as an epidemiologist, educator, and survivor of an adolescent suicide attempt. Providing health care workers with policies and resources that reduce stress, increase resilience, and reduce burnout will save lives and strengthen America's health care system. I congratulate Congress on moving forward with these important bills and urge these efforts to be the first steps for our nation to come together to protect our essential health care workers.
