Cardiologists cite administrative burden among the strongest burnout drivers. These are structural fixes — not self-help — and they require leadership buy-in.

• Reduce administrative burden — audit non-clinical tasks; remove what does not serve patients

• Medical scribes — hire and train scribes to offload documentation

• Protected admin time — block dedicated time in schedules for charts and inbox

• Team-based care — designated health care teams, daily huddles, shared workflows

• Clinician-led design — involve clinicians in developing clinic flows and processes

Source: ACC Clinician Well-Being Toolkit (Bohman et al., NEJM Catalyst, 2017)

Environment shapes whether people seek help or hide struggle. A wellness program fails if clinicians drown in paperwork — culture and efficiency must work together.

• Wellness program — establish a formal program with leadership sponsorship

• Wellness committee and champions — recruit a committee; identify champions in each division or site

• Mental health support — dedicated counselors or therapists for trainees and faculty

• Invest in clinicians — family-supportive policies, childcare where feasible

• Listening sessions — create space for clinicians to share what is and is not working

• Diversity & Inclusion — respectful, inclusive culture as a pillar of well-being

• Responding to uncivil behavior — guidance on bullying, bias, harassment, and bystander intervention

• Webinar: Culture Change Through Coaching

• Coaching Fundamentals for Cardiovascular Leaders

Source: ACC Clinician Well-Being Toolkit

Communication builds trust — or breaks it. Trust is your primary currency as a leader, especially when stress is high. When people are concerned, stressed, or upset, they often have difficulty hearing, understanding, and remembering information.

Be concise, consistent, and clear. When in doubt, consider what you would want to hear — that perspective keeps you focused on what matters most.

Three factors that shape trust

• Perceptions of knowledge and expertise

• Perceptions of openness and honesty

• Perceptions of concern and care

Four trust pillars for team communication

1. Caring and empathy — acknowledge worry; let others voice concern at the start

2. Dedication and commitment — address and confirm team needs

3. Competence and expertise — share knowledge; cite trusted sources

4. Honesty and openness — be transparent about facts and feelings

Before you communicate

1. Anticipation — anticipate needs and fears of your audience

2. Preparation — prepare around those needs

3. Practice — rehearse before you deliver

4. Solicit input — invite concerns and ongoing dialogue

Key principles

• Lead with empathy and compassion

• Focus on what you communicate first and last — the primacy/recency effect helps retention

• Limit key messages to three to five; use as few words as possible

• Use graphics, analogies, and narratives to aid recall

• Cite sources; reiterate critical topics; invite feedback to grow trust

Crisis Communication Infographic (PDF) · Webinar: A View Within the Room — Leadership Coaching · If you witness harassment or bullying

Source: Adapted from Crisis Communication for the CV Professional (Dr. V. Covello, Center for Risk Communication)

Personal resilience tools work better when the organization supports their use. These interventions operate at the institutional level — not as individual tips alone.

• Coaching — stress management, mindfulness, and wellness techniques

• Peer dialogue — small groups to share stories of managing burnout

• Financial wellness — counselors for early-career professionals; retirement and family planning resources

Source: ACC Clinician Well-Being Toolkit

A work-based program staffed by licensed professionals — clinical social workers, mental health counselors, and substance abuse specialists. Services may include counseling (phone or in-person), well-being coaching, and referrals for childcare, eldercare, legal, and financial needs.

Sessions are typically limited in number and protected under HIPAA. Contact your Human Resources office to learn what your institution offers.

Source: ACC Clinician Well-Being Toolkit

National policy sets direction. Chapters make it real in your state — host listening sessions, share best practices, and develop a local wellness plan.

Practical chapter activities

• Build social networks to reduce isolation

• Celebrate successes and reinforce positive culture

• Host listening sessions to surface what members need

• Share self-care practices and best practices for team processes

• Communicate your “why” — reconnect members to purpose

• Engage with your State Chapters

Develop a chapter wellness plan

• Form a workgroup to address burnout at the grassroots level

• Meet at regular intervals and solicit feedback from state members

• Document what has worked individually and institutionally

• Implement practical strategies for clinicians experiencing burnout

Email memberengage@acc.org for chapter support. Post the ACC Clinician Well-Being Infographic in break rooms.

Source: ACC Clinician Well-Being Toolkit