Physician Burnout: Are Physicians Set Up to Burnout?
Becker’s Hospital Review released data in February of 2022 about 29 physician specialties ranked by 2021 burnout rates. Over 13,000 physicians were surveyed between June and September 2021. 47% of all physicians reported feelings of burnout. That is a big number. The top 5 specialties were emergency medicine (60%), critical care (56%), obstetrics and gynecology (53%), infectious disease (51%), and family medicine (51%). Are physicians set up for burnout? In this blog, I’ll discuss what burnout is and if physicians are being set up.
What is Physician Burnout?
Dr. Christina Maslach defines burnout as “a response to the chronic emotional strain of dealing extensively with other human beings.’ In layman's terms, burnout is when it gets hard to notice something interesting, funny, or amazing. Anyone providing extensive care for another can experience burnout.
When talking about burnout, people think it is a person-centered problem. People think this is an issue within them. Many think, “If only I was stronger, I wouldn’t have this problem.” They look at their peers and think, “How come I am the only one feeling this way?” You're not the only one who feels this way. Your colleagues aren’t talking about how they are feeling because… physicians. It turns out we’ve been viewing burnout from the wrong lens. Burnout has a strong relationship with the social environment where people work. We need to focus on the situations where people work.
In cases where people are working for a hospital and have to report to administration, poor admin will take the hospital out of the crosshairs and put the burnt-out employee in the ringer. Admin will point fingers at the employee who is not performing. They suggest doing yoga, taking up a new physical activity, having pizza parties, or having someone talk about mindfulness. Leaders are unable to take a hard look at their role in employee burnout.
How do you View Physician Burnout?
What work environments or situations are people at risk for burnout? Dr. Maslach states if the situation requires a person to help others over an extended period, hour after hour, helping problem solve while being warm and caring, you are at risk of burnout. When you add in the lack of support from administration, all the red tape, and frustrations with electronic health records, you are even more at risk. Whom does this sound like? Healthcare workers, therapists, nurses and you guessed it, physicians.
Are physicians set up for burnout? Physicians are at risk for burnout based on their work environment. Not all physicians will burn out. Interventions for prevention or recovery of burnout include changing work patterns, learning coping skills, reaching out to social supports, mindfulness, improving health and fitness, and receiving therapy. Physicians are at risk for burnout.
Online Therapy for Physician Burnout
When you are ready to make that commitment to change and want online therapy in California, online therapy in Michigan, or online therapy in Nevada, reach out here for a complimentary 15-minute consultation. My name is Chris Rabanera and I want you to get better today. Issues I work with include physician burnout, anxiety, depression, relationships, and grief.
