Survey: Over Half of US Physicians Experience Burnout

Over 50% of US physicians are experiencing professional burnout and dissatisfaction with work-life balance, according to a recent study.

In order to examine the prevalence of burnout among physicians, researchers compared data from a 2014 survey to data taken in 2011 on satisfaction with work-life balance in US physicians and a probability-based sample of the general US population.
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Burnout was measured using the Maslach Burnout Inventory, and work-life balance was assessed with the survey item: “My work schedule leaves me enough time for my personal/family life.”

Overall, 6880 physicians completed the surveys. In 2014, 54.4% of physicians reported at least 1 symptom of burnout compared with 45.5% in 2011. Satisfaction with work-life balance declined from 48.5% in 2011 to 40.9% in 2014.

In contrast with physicians, rates of burnout and satisfaction remained similar between 2011 and 2014 in the general population, leading to a widening disparity between physicians and the general population.

“There is an urgent need for systematic application of evidence-based interventions addressing the drivers of burnout among physicians,” they concluded.

“These interventions must address contributing factors in the practice environment rather than focusing exclusively on helping physicians care for themselves and training them to be more resilient.”

—Michael Potts

Reference:

Shanafelt TD, Hasan O, Dyrbye LN, et al. Changes in burnout and satisfaction with work-life balance in physicians and the general us working population between 2011 and 2014. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2015;90(12):1600-1613.