Joy in Medicine® Health System Recognition Program

Representing the AMA’s steadfast dedication to advancing the science of doctor burnout, the Pleasure in Drugs® Well being System Recognition Program empowers well being programs to scale back burnout and construct well-being in order that physicians and their sufferers can thrive.

• Present guidelines (PDF) for well being system leaders inquisitive about implementing applications and insurance policies that actively help well-being.
• Unite the well being care neighborhood in constructing a tradition dedicated to growing pleasure in medication for the occupation nationwide.
• Construct consciousness of options that promote pleasure in medication and spur funding inside well being programs to scale back doctor burnout.

Purposes for the 2026 Pleasure in Drugs Program open Jan. 8 and shut Feb. 27, 2026.

Put together to use:

1. Evaluate the 2026 Joy in Medicine Program Guidelines (PDF)

The Pleasure in Drugs Well being System Recognition Program is supposed to function a strategic street map for organizations to help doctor well-being. Step one on this course of is to familiarize your self with the Joy in Medicine Program Guidelines (PDF). Primarily based on the outlined standards within the pointers, consider the present efforts of your group to find out the extent of recognition that you’ll apply for. 

Please learn the total program standards and supporting documentation necessities (not simply the criteria-at-a-glance) and seek the advice of the submission samples as you compile your software. As a consequence of a excessive quantity of inquiries from candidates, the Pleasure in Drugs staff asks that you just completely seek the advice of this system pointers earlier than reaching out with questions.

2. Submit an Intent to Apply

Submit an Intent to Apply in the present day for the 2026 software cycle. This may enable the Pleasure in Drugs staff to remain linked with you. All organizations should submit an Intent to Apply to obtain entry to the appliance.

3. Register for upcoming occasions

Organizations inquisitive about making use of to this system in 2026 or future software cycles ought to register to attend the annual informational webinar in January and Zoom drop-in hours earlier than and in the course of the upcoming software cycle.

2026 Pleasure in Drugs informational webinar

Our annual informational webinar for organizations inquisitive about making use of in 2026 features a program overview, 2026 program standards, a demo of the appliance portal and a dwell Q&A about this yr’s software cycle. This webinar can be recorded and distributed to all registrants after the occasion.

2026 Pleasure in Drugs Well being System Recognition Program–Informational Webinar

Jan.  12, 11–12:30 p.m. CST

Register now.

Drop-in hours

These casual digital hours are an opportunity to attach with the Pleasure in Drugs staff and ask  questions on this system standards and software. As a consequence of a excessive quantity of candidates, we’re unable to satisfy with organizations individually.  Register for a number of drop-in hours:

• Oct. 8, 10–11 a.m. CST
• Nov. 4, 2–3 p.m. CST
• Nov. 19, noon–1 p.m. CST
• Dec. 9, 11 a.m.–noon CST
• Jan. 14, 10–11 a.m. CST
• Jan. 21, noon–1 p.m. CST
• Jan. 26, noon–1 p.m. CST
• Feb. 4, 10–11 a.m. CST
• Feb. 11, 2–3 p.m. CST
• Feb. 16, 11 a.m.–noon CST

Earlier than submitting an software, well being programs should meet the next eligibility standards:

1. Group dimension

The Pleasure in Drugs Well being System Recognition Program is meant for well being programs with 75 or extra physicians. As of the 2025 program, eligibility relies on whole variety of physicians. Non-physician suppliers are usually not included on this quantity.

2. Group construction

All purposes needs to be submitted on behalf of your group—not particular person departments, GME applications, or affiliated practices inside your system. Enterprise-level purposes representing your complete well being system are most popular. If a number of subsidiaries of a well being system (e.g., particular person places or areas) are inquisitive about making use of to this system, please attain out to our staff for steering on getting ready your software.

3. Evaluation of doctor well-being

Candidates should have accomplished an evaluation of doctor well-being within the final three years utilizing one of many following validated instruments:

• Organizational Biopsy® (which incorporates the Mini-Z)
• Mini-Z (or single merchandise Mini-Z burnout query)
• Maslach Burnout Stock
• Mayo Properly-Being Index
• Stanford Skilled Achievement Index

In case your group has not but accomplished a burnout evaluation and wish to achieve this in preparation for subsequent yr’s software cycle, be taught extra in regards to the AMA’s no-cost Organizational Biopsy® and how to get started. 

In case your group is just not at the moment eligible for the Pleasure in Drugs program, you should still reap the benefits of the numerous obtainable AMA STEPS Forward® assets to assist inform and undertake apply options that help doctor well-being. 

For those who require 1:1 help, think about the AMA STEPS Ahead Mentoring for Impact program.

We additionally encourage you to interact with CHARM: the Collaborative for Healing and Renewal in Medicine.

Recognition relies on organizational achievement and energy in six competency areas, evaluated by way of self-assessment and supporting documentation:

1. Evaluation: Measuring doctor well-being and burnout is vital to understanding and addressing system points.
2. Dedication: A cross-cutting organizational dedication to workforce well-being is crucial to stopping burnout inside a company.
3. Effectivity of Apply Atmosphere: Operational effectivity is essential to supporting well-being. Workflow and know-how inefficiencies–along with documentation necessities–play a central function in driving burnout amongst physicians.
4. Teamwork: Efficient teamwork can have an incredible influence on the general well-being of physicians and care groups.
5. Management: Management behaviors set the muse of organizational tradition, a main indicator of organizational well-being.
6. Assist: Cultivating connections at work is a vital means to driving skilled satisfaction.

Please attain out to [email protected] for questions associated to the Pleasure in Drugs Well being System Recognition Program.