AMA’s new medical education policies aim to reduce burnout, streamline training and support physician-led care

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The American Medical Association (AMA) is pushing forward with a slate of new medical education policies that aim to reduce burnout, simplify administrative burdens and strengthen the pipeline of future physician leaders.

Meeting this week at its Annual House of Delegates (HOD) in Chicago, the AMA adopted new policies to streamline redundant training requirements, provide more support to trainees taking licensure exams and encourage flexible, voluntary burnout prevention efforts.

The AMA also reinforced its commitment to physician-led care by promoting advocacy training for residents.

Cutting through compliance clutter

For physicians working across multiple hospitals, repeated compliance trainings can be a time sink. To address this, delegates approved a policy supporting reciprocity for compliance training across health care facilities — provided the courses meet established standards.

Melissa J. Garretson, M.D., AMA Board of Trustees © American Medical Association

“Physicians face increasing administrative burdens that take time away from patient care,” said AMA Trustee Melissa J. Garretson, M.D. “Lifelong learning is essential to maintaining high standards of patient care and professional conduct, but the system needs to be more efficient. Every minute matters — and streamlining these trainings will give physicians time back to do what matters most — caring for patients”

The policy also encourages compensating physicians for the time spent on training — either financially or through continuing medical education (CME) credit.

More support for exam-day challenges

To ease pressure on trainees, the AMA HOD also called on major testing boards to fix logistical and cost-related issues that often complicate licensure exams. Delegates urged the National Board of Medical Examiners and the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners to improve flexibility for rescheduling, expand testing center access and reduce financial burdens.

Medical schools, in turn, are encouraged to offer more accommodations and support around exam schedules.

“Unforeseen events, such as a family tragedy or personal crisis, can significantly disrupt a trainee’s exam preparation,” Garretson said. “It’s essential that all stakeholders in graduate medical education work to remove barriers and offer support to trainees during this demanding process, so we can continue building a strong physician workforce.”

Voluntary, flexible burnout prevention

While many wellness programs are designed with good intentions, delegates emphasized that overly rigid requirements may do more harm than good. New policy supports wellness initiatives that are evidence-based, voluntary and respectful of physicians’ personal time.

“While well-intended, inflexible burnout prevention programs can actually increase stress and workload for physicians and trainees,” Garretson said.

The AMA wants programs to be flexible, empowering participants to choose what works best for them.

Training tomorrow’s advocates

To strengthen physician-led care, the AMA adopted policy encouraging residency programs to provide more opportunities for trainees to advocate effectively with policymakers. The organization will expand educational resources and toolkits for use in residency settings, building on its Graduate Medical Education Competency Education Program.

“Residents are the future of the medical profession,” Garretson said. “It is vital they are equipped with the knowledge and skills to inform and educate lawmakers on the importance of physician-led teams, so that patients can receive the safest, highest-quality care.”

With debates over scope of practice intensifying across the country, AMA leaders say it’s more important than ever to ensure physicians have a strong voice in shaping policy. These latest actions reflect the AMA’s continued efforts to reduce bureaucracy, protect physician well-being and defend the integrity of the medical profession.