Developing the Next Generation of Physician Changemakers: “You Have to Love the People, and Love the Process”

Analysis at the individual and organizational level illuminated a constellation of interconnected themes propelling these physician changemakers: Participants' insatiable appetite for learning, coupled with sustained inspiration and the capacity for embracing ambiguity and emotional regulation, drives changemakers' courage and resilience. Notably, while challenging, participants did not perceive changemaking as unduly burdensome. At the organizational level, changemakers perspicaciously report leveraging the system, engage in job crafting through protected time, and authentically take accountability and own the change. Conclusions: With an increased focus on addressing the systems issues that impact quality healthcare, this study provides a roadmap for individual and organizational actions to expand and accelerate the number of physician changemakers.