Equity + Wellness: A Call for More Inclusive Physician Wellness Efforts

Abstract

The challenges, importance, and state of physician wellness and burnout have been well documented throughout the literature.Research continues to prove the value of tools and interventions while institutions appear to be listening and adapting important practices. However, although the wellness literature encourages a review of organizational challenges, local needs, and individual solutions, organizations may fail to align these efforts along with equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging (EDIB). A pandemic and recent events in our society heightened awareness about health inequities, structural violence and racism, and demand that we look within our institutions and health systems. It also demands that we speak of wellness and equity together. We cannot engage in conversations about wellness without asking about equity...because equity and inclusion lead to wellness. We simply cannot expect our healthcare workforce, faculty, and physicians of color to be "well" if they are experiencing exclusion and inequality. In this article, we present the concepts of inclusive excellence and leading with wellness in mind while calling for more inclusive physician wellness efforts.