Health System Strategies to Address Behavioral Health Provider Burnout: A Modified Delphi Method

We convened a two-round, modified Delphi panel to reach consensus on potential organizational-level strategies that health systems could employ to address behavioral health provider (BHP) burnout. We selected 11 potential burnout interventions, based on priority rankings by BHPs during interviews and focus groups, for inclusion in the panel. Ten panelists rated the interventions on potential impact, acceptability to leadership and providers, and feasibility of implementation (a total of 33 items) using a 9-point Likert scale, where a higher score indicated a more favorable rating. We collected data using an online survey platform and virtual group discussion. We defined consensus as ≥ 60% of the panelists responding within a three-point range surrounding the median. An intervention domain achieved relevance when the panel reached consensus and a median rating of ≥ 7. Twenty-seven items achieved consensus, with 10 reaching relevance with a median ≥ 7. Four interventions (Human Resources [HR] could help with time-to-hire, flexibility regarding telework, recognize and support providers, and mentorship) reached relevance on two domains. No intervention reached relevance on all three domains. The interventions HR could help with time-to-hire and flexibility regarding telework reached relevance on both impact and feasibility, but did not reach relevance on acceptability to leadership and providers. Our panel reached consensus on the large impact and high feasibility of several burnout interventions. In particular, they agreed that HR could help with time-to-hire and health systems could provide more flexibility regarding telework. Health systems could consider these interventions for implementation to address BHP burnout.