When selecting their first — or next — emergency medicine (EM) job, physicians increasingly recognize that although it is crucial to consider salary, schedule, and location, they must also weigh the workplace systems that allow for meaningful, sustainable practice.

That was the focus of the January 2026 ACEP webinar, “Choosing Your First — or Next — EM Job: Non-Negotiables for Well-Being and Career Sustainability,” led by Diana Savitzky, MD, Chair of the ACEP Professional Wellness Section; Jennifer Goebel, DO, FACEP, Chair-Elect of the ACEP Professional Wellness Section; and Laurel Barr, MD, FACEP, Chair of the ACEP Young Physician Section. The panel outlined strategies for evaluating job opportunities through the lens of well-being and career longevity.

Wellness Is a Structural Issue

The discussion was grounded in the Stanford Model of Occupational Well-Being, a framework indicating that well-being is driven by three interrelated domains — culture of wellness, workplace efficiency, and individual factors — and that organization-wide changes are needed to foster fulfillment and reduce burnout.

Dr. Savitzky shared a telling example of a colleague who dismissed “wellness” as individual resilience tactics like yoga and meditation. “But of course, you need things to work well at work, otherwise it’s going to frustrate you, or it’s going to lead you to be unhappy and burnt out,” she said.

For years, ACEP has led efforts to address physician well-being as a structural issue, advocating for systemic solutions to burnout and mental health challenges in EM. ACEP was a driving force behind the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act, landmark federal legislation passed in 2022 that provided more than $100 million for evidence-based mental health services, suicide prevention training, and physician support programs nationwide. In February 2026, ACEP’s advocacy helped secure the law’s reauthorization through 2030.

The structural focus is also reflected in the work of ACEP’s Professional Wellness Section and Well-Being Committee, which have developed resources such as the Well Workplace Policy Statement, the Physician Wellness Hub, and peer-support initiatives aimed at strengthening workplace culture and workflow.

To help emergency physicians considering a career move find workplaces that truly prioritize wellness, the panel outlined five key factors from the ACEP Well Workplace Policy to consider.

#1 Safe, Well-Staffed, and Well-Resourced Emergency Departments

Safety, support, and resources in the emergency department (ED) are foundational to patient care and physician well-being, but they can mean different things to different physicians. The panelists shared some of their own thresholds: Dr. Goebel did not want single coverage work, Dr. Savitzky prioritized pediatric-trained nurses, and Dr. Barr wanted reliable radiology coverage.

They also offered ACEP’s Emergency Department Accreditation (EDAc) standards as a benchmark. Physicians can compare potential workplaces against the standards and define their own must-haves before signing a contract.

#2 Fair and Flexible Scheduling

Fairness and transparency in scheduling can be more meaningful than the number of work hours or specific pattern of shifts. Dr. Savitzky previewed findings from a forthcoming ACEP Professional Wellness Section study showing that physicians consistently valued schedules that were fair, flexible, and informed by other physicians.

And priorities can evolve. Dr. Barr described how weekend work expectations became a deciding factor in career moves as her family responsibilities changed. A schedule that adapts to life stages can improve long-term suitability.

#3 Supportive Leadership

Physicians need leaders who back them during clinical conflicts, address barriers on shift, and create space for professional growth. EDs that support mentorship pathways and meaningful work can also boost work satisfaction because they send a strong signal that physicians are more than just shift coverage.

“We want to keep learning and evolving, so working in a department where you’re surrounded by people that elevate you, whether that’s through mentorship or leadership opportunities or the ability to build something new, is very important,” said Dr. Goebel.

#4 Workplace Efficiency

Poorly designed electronic medical record (EMR) workflows, documentation practices, and departmental processes increase stress and erode morale. Asking whether physicians are involved in workflow decisions and how technology is used to support their work can reveal how much an ED values operational efficiency, the panelists said. Physician input into these decisions preserves autonomy and clinical satisfaction.

#5 Robust Wellness Culture

The panel emphasized that EDs that participate in initiatives such as the ACEP Emergency Medicine Wellness Center of Excellence Award demonstrate intentionality about physician wellness. “Do they measure well-being? That speaks volumes to whether they’re paying attention to it,” said Dr. Savitzky.

“These things don’t happen by accident. They happen with intentional actions, with structure and accountability. Making sure that there is a culture of wellness goes a long way,” Dr. Goebel added.