Physician burnout: How doctors say it affects them-and how to fix it
We asked our readers how burnout affected their careers, how they coped with feelings of burnout in their own lives, and what they think needs to change.
Medical Economics recently surveyed physicians about how burnout affects their lives and careers. More than 92 percent of physicians said they had experienced burnout at some point during their career, and 68 percent said they felt burned out right now.                                        In addition, hundreds of physicians gave us their answers in their own words-here’s a selection of their responses.
“Some days I do not want to go to work. Tired of taking care of people that do not take responsibility for their own health.”
“I am currently looking at options to sell my practice or close down… also considering Direct Primary Care.”
“I limit amount of time I give to patients. Can't stay at office all night charting.”
“I have served as a physician leader, and feel I have lost the battle advocating for physicians and patients. Too many buy into the dumbing down of medicine, and have sold out the doctor-patient relationship.”
“Decreased my viewpoint of our profession to the point of discouraging our college aged kids from entering medicine.”
“I spend too much time doing clerical stuff instead of doctor stuff, and feel resentful each time a new regulation or institutional rule detracts from patient care.”
“I am disappointed about the way medicine in general is going, especially with the corporatization of the field and our loss of autonomy. But you carry on and try to do your best.”
“I almost walked away, but have now found a better balance. More directed use of time at work, allowing support staff to work at the top of their license to help out. Created a wall between work and home to create a respite there.”
“Overhaul the healthcare system. Pay for all hours worked.”
“Collective bargaining by and for physicians, utilizing agents as chief negotiators. We have our ethics and individuality used against us. An individual doctor rarely wields any power vs a hospital or insurer. However, the ability of a group or union could/would be a game changer. Use the NFL players’ union as an example.”
“The autonomy to practice without micromanagement by pharmacy benefit managers, dramatic simplification/elimination of the ridiculous documentation requirements for billing. We should be able to use SOAP notes again.”
“Have physicians direct standard of care without financial oversight by insurance companies.”
“Start respecting the profession and pay us what we are worth. We need to unionize and put an end to insurance controlling the industry. CEOs are making $30 to $40 million a year while we are living check to check now.”
“Physicians leading the future of Medicine.”
“I don't think there is one-there are too many powerful interests working against us.”
“Higher salaries, better workflows, less paperwork.”
“Socialized medicine, restoring physician autonomy, reduced patient load for internal medicine.”
“More time to care for patients and less administrator meddling. EHRs designed for physicians and not coders. We are doctors, not "providers". A bit more respect is helpful.”
“Treat my work more like a job and less like a profession. Since I am treated like a cog in a wheel, I am starting to put less personal importance in work.”
“I quit a toxic job in corporate healthcare, took 8 months off to heal myself, joined an Integrative practice and found a job that I love.”
“I recognize that I am getting burned out and schedule time off work. This amounts to about 1 month annually.”
“I try to spend time with family, but I also admit that I drink more than I should SPECIFICALLY when I am stuck doing non-compensated work from home.”
“Build my spiritual muscles!”
“I read novels and romance books retreating in an imaginary universe that is happy and compassionate.”
“Try to exercise, but also stress eat and have used alcohol at times as well.”
“I stopped the rat race of seeing being forced to see 30+ patients per day and converted to Direct Primary Care; now I see 12 patients per day, practice real medicine, work for my patients and not the payers.”
More than 1,200 physicians took our 2019 Physician Burnout Survey, which was deployed to our email newsletter subscribers in June via Survey Monkey.