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Ever-increasing workloads, administrative burdens, and a once relentless pandemic have led to an alarming increase in burnout rates among healthcare professionals.
At Hollowtree, we are group disability insurance experts who tend to be one step removed from this problem. Our insurance carrier partners are actively working to provide and facilitate proactive solutions to solve burnout issues.
Large Healthcare groups share these concerns and one tool that has proven effective in addressing burnout is an ‘Employee Assistance Program’ (EAP).
In this article, we will discuss why an EAP provides value to healthcare organizations and why we recommend including it as a part of a group disability insurance offering.
Understanding Burnout in Healthcare
Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress.
An AMA survey revealed that a staggering 62.8% of physicians experienced burnout symptoms in 2021, a significant increase from 38% in the previous year.
While we can attribute an increase in stress to the COVID pandemic, studies have not shown a corresponding decrease in burnout levels since, putting all healthcare managers on high alert.
The Overview
So, what are EAPs?
EAP programs are designed to assist employees in dealing with personal and work-related issues that may impact their well-being and job performance.
They provide confidential and professional support to employees and their families, helping them navigate through difficult times and improve their overall well-being.
When bundled into the Group Disability plan, EAP benefits can be extended to all of your W2 employees and 1099 Clinician workforce.
For healthcare organizations, offering an EAP as part of their group disability insurance package is crucial.
Here are 5 reasons why:
Addresses Mental Health Concerns
EAPs provide employees with access to mental health resources, including counseling services, therapy sessions, and support groups.
This is especially important in the healthcare industry, where healthcare professionals often face high levels of stress and emotional strain.
By offering these resources, organizations can help their employees cope with burnout, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.
Provides Confidentiality & Privacy
EAPs ensure that employees can seek help without the fear of judgment or negative consequences.
All conversations and interactions with EAP professionals are strictly confidential, allowing employees to discuss personal and sensitive matters openly.
This confidentiality encourages employees to seek assistance early on, preventing issues from escalating and impacting their work performance.
Supports Work-Life Balance
EAPs provide employees with tools and resources to achieve a better work-life balance.
This includes assistance with time management, stress management techniques, and tips for improving overall well-being.
By supporting employees in achieving a healthy work-life balance, organizations can reduce the risk of burnout and improve retention rates.
Access to Resources & Referrals
EAPs have a vast network of resources and can connect employees with relevant services and professionals.
This includes access to mental health professionals, financial advisors, legal assistance, and childcare services.
By providing these resources, organizations demonstrate their commitment to supporting their employees' holistic well-being.
Early Intervention & Prevention
EAPs focus on early intervention and prevention strategies to address issues before they become more severe.
By offering proactive support, organizations can identify and address potential problems early on, reducing the impact on employees' mental and physical health.
This approach can lead to increased job satisfaction, improved morale, and reduced absenteeism.
Who provides the EAP services?
This depends on the insurance carrier providing the group disability coverage.
Typically each carrier works with a third-party provider, for example, ComPsych (https://www.compsych.com/).
The benefit: it provides a level of objectivity as well as broad access to other programs.
How much do EAP programs cost?
This depends on the package but the overall cost is a de minimis cost relative to the benefits provided.
In Group plans which are employer-paid, the overall cost is less than 1% of the total disability insurance premium.
For Guaranteed Issue voluntary plans, the total cost to the individual is less than half a percent of the cost, yet entitles each clinician to up to 5 in-person consultations annually.
As a proactive benefit, we strongly believe that the cost provides an outsized benefit so we
Employee assistance programs are a crucial tool in the fight against healthcare burnout.
By offering EAPs as part of their group disability insurance package, healthcare organizations can support their employees in managing stress, improving mental health, and achieving a better work-life balance. This, in turn, can lead to increased job satisfaction, reduced burnout rates, and a healthier and more engaged workforce.
