CURRENT STRATEGIES FOR ADDRESSING PHYSICIAN BURNOUT AND ENHANCING WELL-BEING IN INTERNAL MEDICINE PRACTICE: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

Jerry Adesola Adeyemo*, Micheal Abimbola Oladosu*, Moses Adondua Abah

ABSTRACT

Background: Physician burnout has reached epidemic proportions in internal medicine, with reported prevalence rates exceeding 50% in multiple national surveys. Sustained burnout adversely affects clinician well-being, patient safety, healthcare quality, and organisational productivity. Identifying effective and sustainable mitigation strategies is therefore a pressing priority for health systems globally. Objective: This review synthesises contemporary evidence (2020–2025) on individual- and organisational-level strategies that address physician burnout and promote well-being among internal medicine practitioners. Methods: A narrative review of peer-reviewed literature published between January 2020 and April 2025 was conducted using PubMed, Embase, and PsycINFO. Search terms included "physician burnout," "internal medicine," "well-being interventions," "mindfulness," "EHR burden," and "organisational culture." Articles reporting original data, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses were prioritised. Results: Both individual-level strategies (mindfulness-based stress reduction, cognitive behavioural therapy, peer mentoring, physical activity, and professional coaching) and organisational reforms (electronic health record optimisation, workload restructuring, flexible scheduling, and physician leadership programmes) demonstrated significant reductions in burnout dimensions. Hybrid, multi-component approaches produced the most durable improvements. Conclusion: Physician burnout in internal medicine is a systemic, multifactorial challenge that requires coordinated responses at individual, departmental, and institutional levels. Investment in sustainable organisational change, supported by individual resilience-building, offers the most promising pathway to restoring physician well-being.

Keywords: Physician burnout; internal medicine; well-being; mindfulness; EHR optimisation; organisational interventions; resilience.