Members of Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic have expressed concern the giant, world-renown health system is straying from its patient-first philosophy to one focused on efficiency and productivity, according to a column in the Post-Bulletin.
A broad range of staff from front-line workers to respected leaders have complained that Mayo's work atmosphere has changed, they're supposed to concentrate on efficiency instead of patient care, that adequate staffing isn't the priority it once was and that constructive criticism is a career risk. A 2013 employee survey led to an increased focus on employee-engagement, according to the report.
Mayo Clinic's medical director for public affairs, John Wald, MD, told the Post-Bulletin's Jeff Hansel the system is "aware of the concerns" from employees.
Dr. Wald emphasized the system is "actively addressing" the problems. Systemwide, Mayo Clinic is examining its 130 departments and divisions for high morale and will then attempt to replicate what is happening there in other areas, he told Mr. Hansel.
What is happening at the Mayo Clinic is not unique: A large number of Houston-based University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center physicians are unsatisfied with patient safety efforts at the hospital, according to survey results at that hospital.