Enhancing Pharmacy Faculty Well-Being and Productivity while Reducing Burnout

Abstract

Objective. To explore methods that pharmacy programs can use to redefine their work environment to reduce stress, improve well-being, and increase productivity.

Findings. To demonstrate a culture of support, organizations should consider a five-fold approach to enhancing and maintaining faculty well-being including, optimizing faculty and staff support, establishing a faculty development and mentoring program, permitting flexibility in work schedules, improving productivity of meetings, and managing communication tools. Individuals can also take measures to improve their well-being including controlling email, giving attention to faculty citizenship, implementing stress reduction and coping techniques, and maintaining boundaries between work and home.

Summary. This article discusses approaches that have been shown to reduce burnout and provides strategies organizations and individuals can implement to improve productivity and faculty well-being. While certain areas such as faculty wellness and productivity are well studied in the pharmacy and health professions literature, significant gaps were identified in other areas, including alternate work arrangements. In some cases, data from the business sector can be extrapolated to pharmacy education; however, inferences from effect ive corporate strategies may not be transferable to the culture and expectations of academia. While there is significant overlap between institutional and individual strategies, a culture of communication, collaboration, support and citizenship is foundational. There is no one strategy that will work for everyone and flexibility is important to develop an individualized approach.