Harris, Surgeon General, warns of burnout among healthcare workers

WASHINGTON – Vice President Kamala Harris and US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy warn of a burnout among the country’s health workforce after more than two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the possibility of severe labor shortages in the coming years if not addressed.

Harris and Murthy visit Children’s National Hospital in Washington Monday to meet with health care providers and make comments, while Murthy presents a report, “Surgeon General’s Advisory Addressing Health Worker Burnout.” It sounds the alarm about a projected shortage of “3 million low-wage essential health workers” over the next five years, as well as nearly 140,000 doctors by 2033.

“The health of the nation depends on the well-being of our health workers. Tackling the long-standing drivers of burnout among our health workers must be a top national priority,” Murthy said in a statement. “COVID-19 has been a uniquely traumatic experience for healthcare workers and their families, pushing them beyond the breaking point. Now we owe them a debt of gratitude and action. And if we don’t act, we are jeopardizing the health of our nation.”

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The administration is calling for new investments and steps to protect the mental well-being of healthcare workers, including by expanding the range of counseling services, reducing administrative burdens and promoting safety in the workplace.

The initiative comes as the Biden administration embarks on a nationwide push to solve mental health problems. President Joe Biden presented a national strategy expand treatment of mental health and substance abuse during his State of the Union address in March.