Physical and mental well-being are important determinants in the lives of doctors, including their professional activity, which directly impacts patients’ health and lives. Doctors and other Healthcare workers are particularly prone to physician burnout in the healthcare industry because of the long workdays, fast-paced nature of the field, time constraints, and intense emotional work environments.
Several international studies encompassing almost all medical and surgical specialties suggest that one in three doctors suffer burnout.
On the other hand, in the latest studies by Medscape on physician burnout and depression, 49% of the clinicians are reported being burned out right now.
The Mayo Clinic reports that 63% of physicians face burnout each week due to long-term unmanaged stress in the workplace and heightened demands from COVID-19.
The physicians and practice staff are constantly under pressure to reduce costs and maintain quality. From navigating new payment structures to expanding collaboration and communication with other providers, a lot is going on that has resulted in a rise in physician burnout.
What is Physician Burnout?
Burnout is a psychological syndrome emerging as a prolonged response to chronic interpersonal stressors on the job. It is a condition that affects all specialties and all practice settings.
Physician burnout is a reaction to long‑term stress. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), burnout is defined in the International Classification of Diseases ICD-11 as follows:
- A sensation of weariness or low energy
- A mental detachment from work,
- Or sentiments of pessimism or cynicism about the work and a sense of inadequacy and unfulfilled expectations.
Common Causes of Physician Burnout
Reducing burnout is essential to high-quality patient care and a sustainable health system.
To better understand and lessen the difficulties doctors face, the American Medical Association (AMA) has researched and is now addressing factors that contribute to and exacerbate physician burnout, such as time restrictions, technology, and legislation.
Several external and internal factors contribute to physician burnout. Following are some of the most common factors.
Excessive Levels of Administrative Work
The main factor contributing to physician burnout is an excessive administrative burden. Healthcare providers did not enter the field to spend hours in front of a computer and doing paperwork. Therefore, when this occurs, providers frequently feel overburdened and unsatisfied with the procedure. It could involve submitting claims, creating compliance paperwork, and more.
Professional Responsibility
Obtaining professional liability insurance necessitates filling out documents that enquire about previous and present mental health issues, much like getting a medical license. It adds an obstacle to getting the right care. Bureaucratic activities like charting and other documentation can contribute to physician burnout.
Long Working Hours
Physicians are renowned for their extended and committed workdays. Despite being among the most intelligent and well-educated members of society, the issue lies in the fact that they are still human. Physician burnout can occur frequently due to the lengthy and demanding work hours. Sometimes, the amount of work that needs to be done on a particular day makes routine work hours insufficient.
Electronic Health Records (EHR)
One may wonder about the effectiveness of highly skilled specialists devoting only two-thirds of their time to direct patient care. A significant amount of doctor’s time is still spent on EHRs. More efforts should be put into redesigning physician work processes and EHRs. 23.6% of physicians multitask using the EHR, and 44.9% of their time is spent on Electronic Health Records (EHR).
Effective Strategies to Address Physician Burnout
A physician’s mental health is an important factor in maintaining a sustainable healthcare system and exceptional patient care. However, physician burnout is increasing rapidly and is a serious issue affecting medical practices.
Here are some strategies that will help in combating professional burnout.
Reduced Work Shifts
Burnout effects are more likely to happen in extended working hours. Surgeons and general physicians usually work longer shifts and frequently put in lengthy workdays, up to sixty hours or more a week. Therefore, reducing doctors’ typical work hours can help in overcoming physician burnout.
Fostering a Positive Workplace
Research has proven that social support at work plays a major role in reducing physician burnout and enhancing the well-being and mental health of healthcare workers. Healthcare executives may further enhance their efforts by offering sufficient breaks and creating more extensive mentoring programs, even if these services have been demonstrated to help lower feelings of stress and burnout.
Outsourcing Medical Billing
From navigating new payment structures to expanding collaboration and communication with other providers, a lot is going on that has resulted in a rise in physician burnout. As physician demands are increasing with no slowdown, outsourcing medical billing services and streamlined operations have become the need of the hour.
Ensuring Employees’ Time Off
Physicians need some time off for relaxation and socializing with peers. The impact of strategies like reduced working hours and altered work schedules on reduced physician burnout and enhanced job satisfaction has been assessed in studies conducted by the Mayo Clinic. Of these, 57.1% of studies suggested positive outcomes of breaks during working hours.
Bottom Line
The influence of physician work hours on patient care and career satisfaction is substantial. If you are running a hospital or providing medical services, you must comprehend the effects that physician burnout may have on the organization and its patients.
Addressing the factors that negatively impact the physician’s mental health can help with physician burnout, boost job satisfaction, and guarantee improved patient outcomes.