4. Mental health and addictions
- Date: 2024-10-24
- Concurrent Session: Concurrent Session C
- Time: 4:45 – 5:15 pm
- Room:
- Style: Presentation (information provided to audience, with opportunity for audience to ask question)
- Focus: Practical (e.g. Presentation on how to implement programs and/or practices in the team environment)
- Target Audience: Leadership (ED, clinical lead, board chair, board member, etc.) Clinical providers Administrative staff Representatives of stakeholder/partner organizations
Learning Objectives:
Participants will learn:
- Examine the effects of compressed workweeks on work-life balance, stress levels, employee satisfaction, and retention while maintaining or enhancing patient care.
- Identify and address obstacles to integrating compressed workweeks, developing practical solutions for seamless adoption.
- Learn effective methods for partnering with affiliate physician groups to implement compressed schedules and secure stakeholder buy-in and foster commitment to compressed workweek initiatives.
Summary/Abstract:
In response to post-pandemic workforce challenges, the Marathon Family Health Team (MFHT) initiated a six-month trial of a compressed 4.5-day workweek schedule. Under the new schedule, appointment hours were extended to 9 am to 5 pm from Monday to Thursday and 9 am to 1 pm on Friday, compared to the previous hours of 9 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday. This initiative aimed to address low morale, increased absenteeism, and reported poor work-life balance among staff. Both MFHT employees and those of its affiliated physician group were invited to voluntarily opt into this trial to assess its feasibility and impact. MFHT’s approach highlights the importance of balancing employee well-being with high-quality patient care. By prioritizing a sustainable and patient-centered healthcare delivery model, the trial demonstrated that a compressed workweek could coexist with enhanced care delivery. The initiative also underscored the value of teamwork and innovation in overcoming complex healthcare challenges, engaging multiple stakeholders in the process. The insights from MFHT's trial serve as a valuable guide for other primary care teams facing similar workforce issues, especially in small, rural communities. By sharing experiences and best practices, primary care teams can foster healthier and more resilient healthcare environments while maintaining high standards of patient care. The trial’s collaborative and evidence-based approach offers a blueprint for future workforce policies and initiatives, aiming to benefit both staff and patients alike.
Presenter:
- Michele Lajeunesse Chief Operating Officer Marathon Family Health Team