Physician Burnout More Common Than Previously Thought

A new study conducted by Mayo Clinic researchers has underlined the widespread problem of physician burnout with nearly half of the physicians displaying at least one symptom of burnout. The large study included more than 7,200 physicians who were sent questionnaires, asking to report at least one symptom of burnout.

The researchers found that the problem was more widespread than previously thought with 45.8 percent of the physicians reporting at least one symptom while nearly a third complaining of high depersonalization, a state where you watch yourself go through the motions as if in a dream.

“There have been other studies done on doctor burnout, but we assumed it was the surgical specialties who would be at primary risk. The rates are higher than expected. We expected maybe 1 out of 3. Before health care reform takes hold, it's a concern that those docs are already operating at the margins”, lead researcher Tait Shanafelt said.



Source-Medindia