Wellness-Centered Leadership: A Key Differentiator for Successfully Reducing Burnout and Building a Culture of Well-Being Among Physicians and APPs

Krispen Hartung,1 Hillary E Swann-Thomsen,2 Kathryn R Schneider1 1Physician and APP Well-Being Center of Excellence, St. Luke’s Health System, Boise, ID, USA; 2Applied Research Division, St. Luke’s Health System, Boise, ID, USACorrespondence: Kathryn R Schneider, Physician and APP Well-being Center of Excellence, St. Luke’s Health System, 190 E Bannock St, Boise, ID, 83712, USA, Email [email protected]: Physician and advanced practice provider (APP) burnout is a significant issue in healthcare, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Burnout rates remain high, with severe implications for both clinicians and patient care. This paper acknowledges the multifaceted causes of burnout, including environmental and individual factors, and evaluates the effectiveness of wellness-centered leadership as a mitigation strategy. St. Luke’s Health System implemented a comprehensive wellness-centered leadership program, including training and toolkits, to improve well-being. Surveys conducted in 2022, 2023, and 2024 assessed burnout levels, feeling valued by the organization, intent to leave, and leadership alignment among physicians and APPs. Results indicated a decrease in burnout and intent to leave, alongside improved leadership alignment, and improved feeling valued by the organization. The findings suggest that wellness-centered leadership can significantly reduce burnout and enhance job satisfaction, highlighting the importance of leading with well-being in healthcare settings.Keywords: organizational culture, workforce development, employee retention, job satisfaction, leadership development