Protecting Physicians Against Burnout

Clinician distress and physician burnout is at an all-time high, but what can be done about it? A team at Weill Cornell Medicine is making an effort to create an effective, reproducible solution. In this interview, Karolyn Gazella talks with lead author Klaus Kjaer, MD, about the model they implemented in 2019 and the outcomes of their project using that model. Since 2015, Kjaer has been the chief quality and patient safety officer with Weill Cornell Medicine and New York Presbyterian Hospital. About the Expert As Chief Quality and Patient Safety Officer of Weill Cornell Medicine, Klaus Kjaer, MD, works with the leadership to support physician-led initiatives focused on improving quality, patient safety and risk management across all clinical departments. His focus is on consistent delivery of high-value medical care, redesign of clinical processes, and adoption of targeted quality metrics to improve clinical performance. Kjaer directs the Fellowship Program in Obstetric Anesthesiology at Weill Cornell and serves on the Board of Directors for the Society of Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology. In 2014, he received Weill Cornell's Physician of the Year Award.