From Burnout to Buy-In: How Health Systems Can Rebuild Trust with Clinical Staff

Burnout isn’t just a buzzword anymore—it’s a daily reality for far too many physicians, nurses, and advanced practice providers. And while we’ve been talking about it for years, many health systems are still struggling to move from acknowledgment to action.

The question leaders should be asking now isn’t "Is burnout real?" It’s "What are we doing to actively rebuild trust and engagement with our clinical teams?"

The Trust Deficit

During the pandemic, clinical staff went above and beyond—often at great personal cost. Since then, many feel they’ve been met with shifting priorities, increased productivity demands, and little meaningful change in how their organizations support them. The result? A trust deficit that can’t be fixed with free pizza or a wellness app.

3 Steps Toward Rebuilding Buy-In

1. Listen Like You Mean It Create real channels for clinical staff to share feedback—anonymous or open—and ensure that feedback results in action. Whether it’s reducing unnecessary documentation or tweaking scheduling protocols, small wins can go a long way.

2. Be Transparent About Challenges Your team knows the pressures on margins, staffing, and regulations. Don’t hide them. Share the "why" behind tough decisions and include frontline voices when designing solutions.

3. Recognize the Whole Person Clinicians want to be seen not just for their output but for their humanity. Personal recognition, flexible work arrangements, and access to mental health resources can make a lasting impact.