Our Work
The North Carolina Clinician & Physician Retention & Well-Being (NCCPRW) Consortium leads statewide efforts to strengthen the healthcare workforce by addressing the root causes of burnout and creating cultures where clinicians can thrive.
We combine research, collaboration, and practical action to advance system-level change and deliver educational programs that support well-being at every level of care.
THE PROBLEM
Across North Carolina—and nationwide—clinicians are experiencing unprecedented levels of stress and exhaustion. Nearly half of all healthcare workers report symptoms of burnout, with many feeling overworked, overwhelmed, and undervalued.
Administrative burden, limited resources, and stigma around seeking help are eroding professional fulfillment and driving talented clinicians away from patient care. These challenges threaten not only individual well-being but also the stability and quality of our entire healthcare system.
OUR SOLUTION
NCCPRW is confronting these challenges head-on.
As a statewide, cross-sector initiative, we are building a unified strategy to reduce clinician stress, restore meaning in medicine, and foster well-being at the individual, organizational, and systemic levels.
Our work centers on two key approaches:
1. SYSTEM-LEVEL CHANGE INITIATIVES
We are proud partners of the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation, whose ALL IN: Caring for Caregivers initiative provides a roadmap for much of our systems-level work. This three-phased model moves beyond individual self-care to focus on organizational and operational transformation, helping healthcare systems identify barriers, improve culture, and implement sustainable well-being strategies.
Key Focus Areas:
- Reducing administrative burdens that contribute to burnout
- Improving credentialing and licensure processes
- Expanding access to confidential mental health support
- Promoting policies that value clinician input and engagement
SYSTEMIC MILESTONE: NC MEDICAL BOARD POLICY CHANGE
NCCPRW (formerly the Consortium for Physician Resilience and Retention) played a central role in shaping a groundbreaking policy change by the North Carolina Medical Board on monitoring licensee medical and mental health issues.
This approach prioritizes support over punishment, encouraging clinicians to seek help without fear of jeopardizing their licensure. It represents a nationally leading model for protecting both clinician well-being and public safety.
This policy change was a major win for clinician well-being in North Carolina and continues to guide statewide and national efforts.
NCCPRW also invests in education, awareness, and connection—equipping clinicians, administrators, and health leaders with practical tools to build resilience and foster supportive environments.
Real Talk: Navigating Life’s Hard Moments Together
In collaboration with the Old North State Medical Society and the North Carolina Professionals Health Program, NCCPRW is expanding youth mental health access in underserved communities while strengthening local clinician well-being through Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Gatekeeper Training as part of the DHHS-funded Real Talk campaign. Initial implementation is focused in Robeson and Scotland counties.
The CARE Equation: Prioritizing Clinician Well-Being + System Change = Sustainable Care
A learning series designed for physicians, clinicians, and healthcare administrators that highlights strategies to reduce burnout, strengthen workforce retention, and advance high-quality patient care. Each session features expert perspectives, practical tools, and opportunities for interactive discussion to help participants apply insights within their own organizations.
The topics listed are planned for 2026, with final speakers and session dates to be confirmed.
- UNC Health’s GROSS Program & Human Factors Engineering
- Cultivating a Culture of Belonging
- Leading a Microculture of Well-Being
- Perfectionism in Medicine
- Closing the Gap Between Where You Are and Where You Want to Go
- Litigation in Medicine and Its Impact on Well-Being
Clinician Well-Being Self-Assessment (Coming in 2026)
An online confidential assessment to help clinicians track their well-being, identify stress patterns, and connect to resources for personal and professional support.
OUR INITIATIVES: PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE
NCCPRW’s initiatives span past successes, current programs, and future strategies:
Past: Major systemic wins, including the NC Medical Board policy change, which set a national example for reducing stigma and supporting clinicians seeking help.
Present: Ongoing programs like ALL IN: Caring for Caregivers, QPR training, and CARE Equation webinars.
Future: Expansion of digital resources, learning communities, and tools like the Clinician Well-Being Self-Assessment.
WORKING TOWARD A HEALTHIER FUTURE
By combining education, advocacy, and systemic reform, NCCPRW is redefining what it means to support the people behind North Carolina’s healthcare system.
Together, we’re creating a future where clinician well-being is not an afterthought—but a foundation for better care for all.
