Enhancing an onboarding program for primary care providers: a quality improvement project

Abstract

Statement of Problem: The healthcare industry grapples with escalating costs, an aging population, burnout, workforce shortages, technological advances, regulatory shifts, disparities, workplace trends, and patient safety. Leaders strive to improve patient safety, population health, the patient experience, and healthcare costs per capita through initiatives such as "To Err Is Human" and "The Triple Aim." Burnout among healthcare providers, worsened by efficiency and cost-cutting efforts, impacts well-being, patient care, and workforce stability. Effective onboarding processes are vital in addressing burnout, reducing turnover, improving patient outcomes, enhancing safety, and organizational success. The quality improvement project seeks to enhance healthcare provider onboarding through interventions focused on communication, electronic health record (EHR) resources, mentorship, and structured orientation. The goal is to improve integration into clinic culture, reduce burnout, and enhance retention. Methods: A qualitative approach, including interviews, was used to analyze the intervention's impact. In- person interviews with new employees provided insights into their experiences and perceptions of the onboarding process. Data analysis identified themes. Results: Interviews revealed key themes such as clear communication, accessible information, mentorship, structured feedback, comprehensive training, and leadership support. Differences between interviews held after one week and one month included challenges in finding information, navigating the EHR, and adapting to the new environment. Participants discussed arrival packet content, usefulness, and suggestions for improvement. Conclusions: Interventions have enhanced onboarding, aligning with effective practices. Future work will focus on refining interventions and evaluating the long-term impact on reducing burnout and improving retention.