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Burnout is high and retention is low in healthcare – more workers in healthcare are experiencing poor mental health symptoms than those across other industries, and they are 40% more likely to say they are never recognized at work, according to a 2024 Achievers Workforce Institute (AWI) report. Given the high levels of stress and emotional exhaustion that many healthcare professionals face, acknowledgment of their efforts can have a profound impact on both their well-being and their performance. Let’s explore how recognition can foster a sense of motivation and belonging for healthcare workers.
A closer look at employee engagement in the healthcare industry
Employee disengagement might be hard to spot, but there’s no doubt it exists. In a recent employee engagement survey by AWI, we discovered:
- Just one-third of healthcare workers say they are very engaged at work
- Only 17% of healthcare workers would recommend their current company as a great place to work
- Over half (54%) of healthcare workers say feeling recognized for their efforts would inspire them to be productive in their roles
It’s clear that the healthcare industry needs to make employee engagement a top priority in order to improve employee performance and retention.
Recognition best practices for hospital staff
If you’re eager to build a culture of recognition across your organization, follow our top four best practices for employee recognition:
1. Keep it fresh
Keep recognition fresh and top of mind for employees with ongoing communication and campaigns. Consider a fun company-wide campaign during the holidays, nurses appreciation week or Employee Appreciation Week. Never give up an opportunity to remind employees to recognize another, whether it’s through a newsletter, email, or recognition spotlight video.
2. Hold managers accountable
Frontline managers can have an immense impact on engagement. There’s no excuse for managers to be “too busy” to recognize their team. Check out our CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System’s customer success story to discover how frequent managers recognition boosts transparent communication, decreases nurse turnover by 2.9%, and increases near-miss reporting by 6 times.
3. Involve employees from the start
Get employees involved from the start. Every new hire should be introduced to your recognition program and trained on how to recognize others on their first day. By building excitement for your recognition program, it encourages participation from employees of all levels. It’s important to have frontline employee involvement to build an authentic culture of recognition. Your employees can be the advocates you need to make recognition infectious and an everyday habit.
4. Recognize on the go
Make recognition easily accessible by providing employees the ability to recognize on the go through their mobile devices. More than eight billion people around the globe have mobile devices, and you want to stay on top of this new modern way of working and communicating. By giving employees the ability to quickly recognize others (or stay updated on their own recognitions) anywhere at any time, whether during their commute, work break, or at home, you’ll be able to drive additional adoption and participation.
How can peer-to-peer improve teamwork in healthcare?
Fosters a culture of appreciation
Implementing peer-to-peer recognition encourages healthcare workers to actively acknowledge and appreciate each other’s contributions. This creates a positive work environment where team members feel valued by their colleagues, leading to stronger relationships and improved collaboration.
Enhances communication
When healthcare workers regularly recognize each other’s efforts, it opens up channels of communication. Team members become more aware of each other’s roles and responsibilities, leading to better coordination and fewer misunderstandings.
Boosts morale and motivation
Healthcare can be a challenging and stressful environment. Peer recognition provides a morale boost, especially during difficult times. When colleagues appreciate each other’s hard work, it motivates the entire team to maintain high standards of patient care.
Promotes knowledge sharing
Recognition often highlights specific actions or skills. This can encourage team members to share their expertise, leading to informal mentoring relationships and overall skill improvement across the team.
Strengthens interdepartmental relationships
In healthcare, different departments often need to work together seamlessly. Peer-to-peer recognition that crosses departmental lines can help break down silos and foster a more cohesive, hospital-wide team environment.
Increases employee engagement
Engaged employees are more likely to go above and beyond in their roles. Peer recognition contributes to higher engagement levels, which in turn leads to better teamwork and patient outcomes.
Reinforces best practices
When peers recognize each other for following best practices or demonstrating excellent patient care, it reinforces these behaviors across the team. This can lead to consistent, high-quality care delivery.
Reduces burnout
By creating a supportive environment where efforts are acknowledged, peer recognition can help combat burnout — a significant issue in healthcare. This leads to more resilient teams that work together more effectively.
By fostering a culture of peer-to-peer recognition, healthcare organizations can significantly improve teamwork, leading to better patient care and a more positive work environment for all staff.
What are the most effective ways to implement peer-to-peer recognition in healthcare?
Create an accessible digital platform
Implement a user-friendly digital recognition platform that allows healthcare employees to easily recognize each other. This platform should:
- Be quick and simple to use, taking only seconds to send recognition
- Be accessible via mobile apps for employees who aren’t frequently at computers
- Integrate with existing communication tools like Slack or Microsoft Teams
Emphasize offline recognition
Since many healthcare workers aren’t desk-based, incorporate offline recognition methods such as:
- Handwritten messages or cards
- In-person verbal appreciation
- Printed awards or certificates
- Public shoutouts in team meetings
Make recognition visible
Increase the impact of peer recognition by making it visible to others:
- Create a digital social feed where recognitions are posted
- Display recognitions on screens in common areas
- Encourage sharing of recognitions in team meetings
Encourage frequent recognition
Promote a culture where recognition happens often:
- Set the example by having leaders regularly recognize employees
- Educate staff on the importance and impact of peer recognition
- Make it easy for employees to recognize small, everyday actions
Customize for healthcare needs
Tailor the recognition program to the unique challenges of healthcare:
- Use a points-based rewards system or similar tools for on-the-spot recognition of frontline staff
- Focus on recognizing acts of compassion, teamwork, and patient care excellence
- Ensure the program works for all shifts and departments
These strategies will keep healthcare organizations on the right track to create a strong culture of peer-to-peer recognition that helps combat burnout, improves employee satisfaction, and ultimately enhances patient care.
Transforming healthcare with employee recognition
To meet the ever-growing demands on healthcare workers and combat potential shortages, organizations need effective strategies for employee retention. Achievers offers a structured, inclusive approach to recognition that can transform workplace culture. By prioritizing recognition with Achievers, healthcare organizations can enhance engagement, motivation, and job satisfaction among their staff. This results in improved patient care, better organizational performance, and a more resilient healthcare system that prioritizes the well-being of its employees.
