The Mayo Clinic reports nearly 1 in 2 (45.8%) of the nation’s doctors already suffer a symptom of burnout at a time when the medical profession is preparing to treat millions of newly insured under the health care law.   The report also highlights that physicians are more likely to complain of burnout than other U.S. workers.

The surveyed physicians completed a 22-item Maslach Burnout Inventory questionnaire, considered the industry standard for measuring burnout. The issues examined were emotional exhaustion, depersonalization of patients, and low sense of personal accomplishment.  Of 27,276 physicians asked to participate, 7,288 (26.7%) responded. They had to report only one symptom to be included among those reporting burnout.

Many studies on physician burnout have sited lack of control as the biggest predictor of burnout and creator of stress, which includes:

• How many patients you see.
• How much time you have with them.
• How many different types of patients you might see in a short period.
• When you might have to release someone from the hospital.

The bottom line, according to many experts, is that the Affordable Care Act is going to put more pressure on the front lines and the country needs to build health care teams to meet the need.

(Photo credited to nytimes.com)

DISCLAIMER: Because of the generality of this update, and based on particular situations, the information provided herein may not be applicable in all situations and should not be acted upon without specific legal advice, financial advice and/or the advice of a licensed insurance or certified human resource professional.

© Connelly, Carlisle, Fields & Nichols 2012