American Medical Association awards UT Health San Antonio ‘Joy in Medicine’ designation for reducing physician burnout

Contact: Eileen Teves, 210-450-7239, [email protected]

SAN ANTONIO, Oct. 22, 2024 - The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) has earned the bronze level recognition from the American Medical Association as a Joy in Medicine™ health organization.

The prestigious distinction is granted to organizations that meet the rigorous criteria of the Joy in Medicine Health System Recognition Program and acknowledges the nation's leaders in prioritizing proven efforts to enhance the well-being and professional fulfillment of physicians. The honor is valid for two years.

This year, a total of 62 health systems from across the country earned the recognition for their efforts in reducing work-related burnout and commitment to physician well-being by the American Medical Association. UT Health San Antonio was one of two organizations in Texas.

"We are absolutely thrilled to be awarded this designation at UT Health San Antonio," said Sylvia Botros-Brey, MD, MSCI, assistant dean for faculty and professor at the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine at UT Health San Antonio. "We are committed to the health and well-being of our care providers. This recognition is a testament to the steps we are taking and will continue to take to support our clinicians."

According to the American Medical Association, physician burnout had been a "long-standing issue in the medical community." In 2021, the organization saw a record-high rate of 62.8% physicians surveyed feeling physical, emotional and mental exhaustion from work demands. The American Medical Association reports burnout rate has dipped under 50 percent for the first time in four years, a milestone in preventing and reducing physician burnout.

UT Health Medical Arts and Research Center is the designated clinical practice receiving this recognition. Located in the heart of the South Texas Medical Center, the clinic strives to work on promoting and improving physician well-being, work quality, job satisfaction, career growth and retention. The plan is to grow and learn from these efforts and extend best practices to other clinical areas of the organization.

"Physicians are humans caring for other human beings, strained by factors beyond their control and challenged by the enormous expectations placed on them to continuously deliver high quality, compassionate care," said Bruce A. Scott, MD, president of the American Medical Association. "There is no doubt change is needed, but what needs to change is not the doctors. A national movement is gaining momentum to transform health care work systems and fix the root causes of physician burnout."

Health organizations that have earned the American Medical Association's Joy in Medicine recognition are working to foster professional well-being and support quality care. Since its inception in 2019, the program has recognized more than 100 organizations across the country.

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) is one of the country's leading health science universities and is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education. With missions of teaching, research, patient care and community engagement, its schools of medicine, nursing, dentistry, health professions, graduate biomedical sciences and public health have graduated more than 43,886 alumni who are leading change, advancing their fields and renewing hope for patients and their families throughout South Texas and the world. To learn about the many ways "We make lives better®," visit UTHealthSA.org.

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