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Brook Hale, Ph.D. is a 2024 graduate of the PHD Program in Leadership and Change at Antioch University.
Brook Hale at her Dissertation Defense.
From L-R: Dr. Mitch Kusy, Committee Chair, Dr. Alan Rosenstein, Committee Member, Dr. Beth Mabry, Committee Member
Dissertation Committee
- Mitch Kusy, PhD, Committee Chair
- Beth Mabry, PhD, Committee Member
- Alan Rosenstein, MD, Committee Member
Keywords
physician, physician fulfillment, organizational change, healthcare leaders, burnout, phenomenology, autonomy, compassionate leadership, change management, culture change, moral injury, organizational culture, decision-making, physician input, humanizing healthcare, healthcare, healthcare management
Document Type
Dissertation
Publication Date
2024
Abstract
The persistent tension and power struggle between healthcare executives and physicians is a prevalent issue in healthcare organizations, often leading to a culture of organizational mistrust. This dynamic stems from perceived conflicting goals: executives are frequently seen as primarily focused on financial outcomes, while physicians are viewed as resistant to change. This study explored how physician fulfillment is experienced at work, with the ultimate goal of identifying potential interventions to bridge the gap between these groups. There is vast research and literature available regarding burnout in healthcare; this research focused on understanding what physicians find fulfilling in their work and identifying actionable factors healthcare system leaders can address to enhance their fulfillment. Key factors identified from the literature include meaningful patient contact, quality of professional relationships, and organizational decision-making input. At the same time, challenges such as administrative burden and loss of autonomy were noted as detriments to fulfillment. After conducting and transcribing semi-structured phenomenological interviews with physicians, the data were coded for meaning, resulting in 169 codes. The prevalence of these broad themes varied concerning each research question, reflecting the complex and multifaceted nature of physician fulfillment. By identifying patterns and connections in the physicians’ experiences, this study highlighted the importance of addressing both systemic and individual factors to enhance professional fulfillment. Key findings of the study include the importance of humanizing healthcare goals and several directions for iv healthcare organizations: addressing moral injury, improving patient outcomes, obtaining and utilizing physician input consistently, fostering a supportive culture, and creating time and space for peer support. Targeted interventions to enhance physician fulfillment were proposed, aiming to determine strategies to improve physician fulfillment for healthcare organizations since aligning organizational goals with physicians' intrinsic motivations can foster a collaborative and trusting work environment, benefiting both staff and patients. This dissertation is available in open access at AURA: Antioch University Repository and Archive (https://aura.antioch.edu/) and OhioLINK ETD Center (https://etd.ohiolink.edu).
Recommended Citation
Hale, B. (2024). The Anatomy of Physician Fulfillment: Strategies Beyond Burnout. https://aura.antioch.edu/etds/1068
Included in
Applied Ethics Commons, Health and Medical Administration Commons, Leadership Studies Commons, Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Commons, Organizational Behavior and Theory Commons, Public Health Commons
Comments
Brook Hale
ORCID: #0009-0004-6439-8027
Dr. Hale’s academic research addresses the persistent tension and power struggle between healthcare executives and physicians, a prevalent issue that fosters a culture of organizational mistrust. For this research, she explored physician fulfillment and its impact on organizational dynamics, aiming to identify actionable factors healthcare leaders can address to bridge the gap. Her research highlights the importance of meaningful patient contact, quality professional relationships, and physician involvement in decision-making as critical factors for fulfillment. She proposes targeted interventions that humanize healthcare goals, improve patient outcomes, and foster a supportive, collaborative work environment, ultimately aligning organizational objectives with physicians' intrinsic motivations.
She is currently employed at Stanford Medicine as a research scientist.
Outside of her professional life, she is married to Dr. Lance Hale and they have two wonderful children, Jax and Maverick.