Doctors’ burnout rates high compared to other workers

The rate of doctors in the United States that are experiencing signs of burnout has been increasing in recent years, and more than half are now at risk, according to the National Academy of Medicine. Compared to other kinds of jobs in the U.S., doctors are twice as likely to show signs of burnout and the rate increased by nine percent between 2011 and 2014 while the overall workforce remained stable during that time.

Similar statistics were found among medical students and new residents as well, signaling a problem permeating throughout the field.

Burnout can manifest itself in many ways, but studies have shown that mental exhaustion and depression are some of the most common issues facing healthcare providers. These individuals were also more likely to commit medical errors and cause other problems that led to more malpractice suits, lower patient satisfaction, higher patient mortality rates, and increased turnover. These issues would often lead to worsening burnout symptoms in a vicious cycle that usually ended in doctors more likely to feel a loss of meaning, isolated from the team, the need to abuse alcohol and drugs, and consider suicide. Currently, the suicide rate of female physicians is 130 percent higher than the broader female population.

Some hospitals and medical institutions have recognized this alarming trend among their colleagues and have installed Chief Wellness Officers to take steps to help treat and prevent future burnout. Stanford Medicine’s Tait Shanafelt has been a pioneer in the field of hospital wellness and saw success during his time at the Mayo Clinic with burnout rates declining seven percent over two years while it rose eleven percent nationally during that same time. Citing a loss of community as one of the most significant issues, his emphasis on bringing back physician lounges, organizing after-hours dinners and activities, and reaching out to doctors to get them talking together and giving more feedback seems to be working.