COVID-19 worsened already troubling levels of physician burnout
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COVID-19 worsened already troubling levels of physician burnout
Physician burnout is at an all-time high. According to the American Medical Association,, which includes emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced feelings of personal accomplishment.
The COVID-19 pandemic certainly exacerbated this trend. Studies show that factors such as were linked with higher incidences of burnout, but this phenomenon long predates 2020.
Occupational burnout among workers in the health care industry is consistently. This is in part attributable to the nature of the health care work environment, frequently characterized by staffing shortages, difficult ethical situations, patient incivility, and heavy workloads. Such factors can lead physicians to experience than the general population.
But burnout affects more than just physicians themselves. In fact, physician burnout can impact patient health outcomes as well. Physicians experiencing burnout are more likely to leave their jobs鈥攄isrupting patient continuity of care鈥攁nd make medical errors when providing treatment. However, workplace environments can be strategically designed to mitigate burnout, and additional research and initiatives are underway.
Consulting industry reports, surveys, research, and government resources, looked at the current state of physician burnout following the COVID-19 pandemic.
The scale of morbidity during the pandemic taxed physicians' mental health
The volume of patients requiring care during the pandemic was unprecedented. The National Institutes of Health estimates that between May 2020 and April 2021,. This surge in hospital admissions put a strain on health care resources, including staff who already faced higher rates of workplace stress than the average population. These challenges led to widespread among health care workers, a phenomenon that occurs when factors such as excessive workloads prevent staff from being able to perform in alignment with their sense of moral obligation to patients.
Compounding this trend is the volume of excess deaths that occurred during the pandemic. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were over than initially projected. It should come as no surprise that this environment was not conducive to the well-being of physicians. A 2021 Mayo Clinic study revealed that between December 2020 and December 2021.
Regular administrative tasks take away from time focused on patients
The medical field holds strict standards of documentation and health records for good reason, but research indicates that these demands may be driving physician burnout. In fact, physicians who spend more time on administrative duties are , according to a survey conducted in 2014. Of these administrative duties, prior authorizations are frequently cited as particularly burdensome.
In a 2020 survey by the American Medical Association, 86% of physician respondents reported that their weekly prior authorization workload alone . A Medscape study reported that nearly 3 in 5 polled physicians (58%) even believe that to their feelings of burnout, as it prevents them from spending more time with patients.
Work culture can promote a stigma against talking about burnout
Societal stigma prevents people from seeking needed help across all industries, but especially so among health care workers. In fact, as the two greatest motivators in hiding their mental health struggles. Burnout is especially stigmatized within health care workplace cultures, as mental well-being is perceived as an indicator of competence.
Additionally, those who do seek help are less likely to consult a professional, preferring to share their concerns with friends and family. This restricts the physician to nonclinical treatment and coping options that may be ineffective depending on the presence of a diagnosable condition. Perhaps expectedly, physicians experiencing unaddressed burnout are .
Solutions can come from licensing boards, hospitals, and more
Though physician burnout is rising, so, too, is a public interest in addressing the crisis. Evidence-based, systemic changes to the workplace and job duties can significantly improve collective burnout. Health care facilities that encourage staff to share their mental health struggles and provide resources and tools in response. Such progressive developments within health care systems are particularly important in light of the fact that physicians experiencing burnout are while providing treatment and and alcohol abuse.
Additionally, facilities may consider to reduce their administrative burden. When integrated properly, electronic health care systems may also aid in reducing physicians' administrative burden.
Data reporting by Emma Rubin. Story editing by Brian Budzynski. Copy editing by Paris Close. Photo selection by Abigail Renaud.
