Medical Burnout

Burnout is an issue among many in the workforce. Increasing demands on time have caused workers to become stressed and unhappy with their jobs. The largest persons at risk for burnout are physicians, a recent survey found. 7,288 physicians in the United States were given a 22-item survey and asked their feelings on burnout in their jobs (which accounted for 27% of those invited to complete the survey). Compare the following:

Survey Response	Physicians	General Population
Dissatisfied with the balance between their work and social lives	40.2%	23.2%
Experienced symptoms of burnout	37.9%	27.8%

Symptoms reported included: depersonalization, emotional exhaustion, and a low sense of personal accomplishment. 45.8% of physicians reported at least one symptom. Medical professionals experiencing the largest burnout work in the emergency room, where stress levels are constantly raised.

Burnout Symptom	Physicians	General Population
High Emotional Exhaustion	37.9%	23.5%
High Depersonalization	29.4%	15%
Low Sense of Personal Accomplishment	12.4%	N/A

It's clear that burnout in the medical field must be addressed. The caregivers of our country are responsible for the population's well-being, so their dissatisfaction can have negative implications on patient health as well. By confronting the triggers and working to resolve them, the positive outcome can cascade throughout the industry.