“Burnt Out” Doctors Get Wellness Benefits

Two-thirds of doctors are experiencing at least one symptom of burnout, a drastic increase since before the pandemic, according to the Mayo Clinic.

One major hospital in Ohio is reimbursing all their employees, not just doctors, for wellness with a Lifestyle Spending Account (LSA) funded by the university.

A neurologist who works at Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center, a 900-bed hospital that is still reeling with Covid-19 patients, says her employer will be reimbursing employees every quarter for wellness and life expenses. For all university employees, either full-time or greater than 50% full-time equivalent, can receive up to $125 per quarter, or $500 a year, for wellness.

Reimbursable expenses include health meal deliveries, museum passes and even pet care.

New in 2023, Ohio State will offer eligible employees a Lifestyle Spending Account (LSA) funded by the university.

Employees will simply submit a claim with receipts to get their funds, and any funds do not carry over to the following quarter.

This is a step in the right direction many say, as it helps address the total person’s health, not just a trip to the doctor for a broken bone. Things like sleep support and art classes can improve a person’s mentality - especially for nurses who work 12 hour shifts three days in a row.

Workplace benefits improve mental health when an employer shows that they care. The “great resignation” is clearly upon us after the Covid-19 pandemic as nearly 4.5 million people quit their jobs in November of 2021, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

A recent Medscape survey found that 40% of RNs said Covid-19 negatively impacted their career satisfaction, and 25% said they would choose to not be an RN if they could do it all over again.

Great workplace benefits give employers an opportunity to maintain staff. The Lifestyle Benefits account is an example of that and we expect more hospitals and other medical employers follow suit.