Kaitlyn D’Onofrio

DocwireNews

A total of 44% of physicians experience burnout, according to a recent survey, up 42% from last year&mdash;and 11% report depression.The findings are part of the Medscape National Physician Burnout, Depression &amp; Suicide Report 2019.Urologists reported the most burnout at 54%, followed by those working in neurology (53%), physical medicine &amp; rehabilitation (52%), internal medicine (49%), emergency medicine (48%), and family medicine (48%). In 2018, the top five most burned-out specialties were critical care (48%), neurology (48%), family medicine (47%), ob/gyn (46%), and internal medicine (46%). For 2019, the least burnout was reported in public health &amp; preventative medicine (28%), nephrology (32%), pathology (33%), ophthalmology (34%), otolaryngology (36%), and plastic surgery (36%). In 2018, plastic surgeons (23%), dermatologists (32%), and pathologists (32%) reported the least burnout.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
In this <a href="https://twitter.com/GlobeOpinion?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GlobeOpinion</a> op-ed, I join experts in outlining three key recommendations to combat burnout&mdash;a condition that has been described as a &ldquo;moral injury.&rdquo;&nbsp;<a href="https://t.co/08Lz1KiW6A">https://t.co/08Lz1KiW6A</a>
&mdash; Harvard Chan Dean (@HarvardChanDean) <a href="https://twitter.com/HarvardChanDean/status/1085925750560251904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 17, 2019</a>
</blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>Similar to last year, women (50%) are more likely to report burnout than men (39%)&mdash;although both sexes have seen an increase in burnout compared to last year, when 48% of women and 38% of men reported burnout.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Constant multitasking&mdash; one of the causes of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/physicianburnout?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#physicianburnout</a>? Perhaps not a "skill&rdquo; we want to hone as it could be altering brain structure, lowering our emotional intelligence &amp; draining precious energy. Interesting <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WellnessWednesday?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WellnessWednesday</a> insight <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HIMSS19?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HIMSS19</a> <a href="https://t.co/Eii02ZnpXv">https://t.co/Eii02ZnpXv</a> <a href="https://t.co/dL6DxBxCPE">pic.twitter.com/dL6DxBxCPE</a>
&mdash; Geeta Nayyar, MD MBA (@drgnayyar) <a href="https://twitter.com/drgnayyar/status/1085606458140573698?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 16, 2019</a>
</blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>The most widely reported source of burnout was administrative tasks, such as charting and paperwork (59%), followed by long hours on the job (34%) and the increasing use of electronic health records (EHRs). Some open-ended comments from specialists included:<ul>
<li>&ldquo;There&rsquo;s so much redundant work due to incompetent third parties&rsquo; data collection.&rdquo; &ndash; Endocrinologist</li>
<li>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s too hard to schedule time off; the rules on clinic cancellation plus poor administrative support to help organize and plan anything make it impossible.&rdquo; &ndash; Internist</li>
<li>&ldquo;All that paperwork sucks all of the enjoyment out of being a doctor.&rdquo; &ndash; Family physician</li>
<li>&ldquo;Fear of litigation, bad reviews, and complaints make everything worse.&rdquo; &ndash; Dermatologist</li>
</ul>Physicians working longer hours are more likely to experience burnout. Among those who work 31&ndash;40 hours a week, 36% report burnout, compared to 57% of those working more than 70 hours a week. General surgeons (77%), urologists (76%), cardiologists (72%), pulmonologists (68%), and nephrologists (68%) are the most likely to work more than 51 hours each week.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
First meaningful disclosures slide I&rsquo;ve seen at a meeting! Dr Mike Sise on physician burnout and how to intervene <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EAST2019?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EAST2019</a> &#8294;<a href="https://twitter.com/EAST_TRAUMA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EAST_TRAUMA</a>&#8297; &#8294;<a href="https://twitter.com/scrippsresearch?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@scrippsresearch</a>&#8297; &#8294;<a href="https://twitter.com/JosephSakran?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JosephSakran</a>&#8297; &#8294;<a href="https://twitter.com/DissanaikeMD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DissanaikeMD</a>&#8297; <a href="https://t.co/ILG8TxGi1F">pic.twitter.com/ILG8TxGi1F</a>
&mdash; Matthew Martin, MD, FACS, McRIB (@docmartin22) <a href="https://twitter.com/docmartin22/status/1085926145558827012?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 17, 2019</a>
</blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Share your thoughts here ! What are your tips and suggestions for physician wellness and avoiding physician burnout <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/physicianwellness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#physicianwellness</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/physicianburnout?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#physicianburnout</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AmyOxentenkoMD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AmyOxentenkoMD</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/IBDMD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IBDMD</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DCharabaty?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DCharabaty</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/IBD_Afzali?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IBD_Afzali</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MRegueiroMD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MRegueiroMD</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AustinChiangMD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AustinChiangMD</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/FezaRemziMD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FezaRemziMD</a> please feel free to tag others
&mdash; Tauseef Ali MD, FACG AGAF FACP (@ibdtweets) <a href="https://twitter.com/ibdtweets/status/1084829390310129664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 14, 2019</a>
</blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>One internist reported, &ldquo;Burnout is mostly due to lack of sleep because the EHR takes so much time. I used to be able to chart on a patient in 5&ndash;10 minutes for established patients. Now it takes 20&ndash;40 minutes to chart on an established patient.&rdquo;Respondents described the poor outcomes associated with their health, career, and personal life as a result of burnout:<ul>
<li>&ldquo;I dread coming to work. I find myself being short when dealing with staff and patients.&rdquo; &ndash; Neurologist</li>
<li>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m drinking more and have become less active.&rdquo; &ndash; Anesthesiologist</li>
<li>&ldquo;My relationships have withered &hellip; my family is frustrated. We rarely make plans to do anything socially as they are likely to be canceled.&rdquo; &ndash; General surgeon</li>
<li>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m having medical problems as a result; having recurrent miscarriages.&rdquo; &ndash; Family physician</li>
</ul>When asked if they&rsquo;ve ever felt suicidal, 14% said they have, while 1% said they have attempted suicide.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
The Team Suffers as a Team. Meta-analysis shows PAs working in high burnout specialties&mdash;such as EM, primary care, hospice, palliative care and oncology&mdash;appear to develop burnout at levels similar to their physician colleagues <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/hcsm?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#hcsm</a> <a href="https://t.co/FIqN4NDflB">https://t.co/FIqN4NDflB</a>
&mdash; Dike Drummond MD (@dikedrummond) <a href="https://twitter.com/dikedrummond/status/1085900256586416129?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 17, 2019</a>
</blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>Most physicians (64%) are not seeking professional help and have never done so in the past.The survey included 15,069 U.S.-based physicians spanning more than 29 specialties. Respondents were mostly male (62%) and aged between 50&ndash;54 (14%), 55&ndash;59 (16%), and 60&ndash;64 (15%). Family medicine (13%) and pediatrics (10%) were the top two most represented specialties.https://twitter.com/Judymosk/status/1085895422470701056<a href="https://proddocwire.wpengine.com/docwire-pick/rheumatology-picks/rheumatologists-happiest-physicians/">Survey: Rheumatologists Are the Happiest Physicians</a><a href="https://proddocwire.wpengine.com/abstracts/physician-burnout-well-being/">Physician Burnout, Well-being, and Work Unit Safety Grades in Relationship to Reported Medical Errors</a><a href="https://proddocwire.wpengine.com/rheumatology/working-with-specialists-cant-we-all-just-get-along/">Working With Specialists: Can&rsquo;t We All Just Get Along?</a><a href="https://proddocwire.wpengine.com/docwire-pick/rheumatology-picks/rheumatologists-see-no-value-moc/">Most Rheumatologists See No Value in MOC</a>Source: <a href="https://www.medscape.com/slideshow/2019-lifestyle-burnout-depression-6011056">Medscape</a>

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A total of 44% of physicians experience burnout, according to a recent survey, up 42% from last year—and 11% report depression. ...