Physician burnout surged during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, after a six-year decline that ended in 2020, according to a new study published in the medical journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
“I hope the worst days of the COVID-19 pandemic are behind us, but there is an urgent need to respond to the doctors who are so committed to our country’s response to COVID-19, and all too often, I find myself You are sacrificing your own happiness.” Press release from Dr. Jack Lesneck Jr., President of the American Medical Association.
Dr. Tate Shanafelt, professor of medicine and chief health officer at the Stanford University School of Medicine in California, has conducted studies at three-year intervals since 2011 to examine the well-being of physicians and workers in all other sectors of the United States. has led.
Want to avoid burnout?The author says that doing more work “isn’t actually getting more done”
The next one is scheduled for fall 2023.
However, the survey added an additional electronic survey only for physicians in late 2021 and early 2022. This was about 21 months after the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID has exacerbated doctor burnout
According to an AMA press release, the overall prevalence of physician burnout in the United States was 38.2% in 2020, 43.9% in 2017, 54.4% in 2014, and 45.5% in 2011. On the other hand, the study found that it will be 62.8% in 2021.
“The sharp rise in physician burnout over the past 12 months is alarming and has significant implications for the adequacy of the physician workforce, access to care and quality of care,” said Shanefelt. he told Fox News Digital.
“Physician burnout in the United States is currently at an all-time high, with female physicians and those practicing emergency medicine, general pediatrics, and family medicine being hit particularly hard.”
Amylyx’s much-controversial drug for Lou Gehrig’s disease wins FDA approval
According to the AMA, Shanafelt is the first chief wellness officer to be appointed at an academic medical center in the United States.
According to the AMA, an estimated 50 organizations have created similar roles following his appointment in the past five years.
Physician burnout is nothing new
The National Academy of Medicine (NAM) declared physician burnout a national crisis before the COVID-19 pandemic, and in 2019 released a report on how to combat it.
NAM reports that up to 54% of nurses and doctors and up to 60% of medical students and residents experienced burnout.
But now the organization calls it “Code Red.”
“The heightened stressors that COVID-19 has brought to our healthcare system over the past two years have put clinicians in the spotlight,” the Academy said on its website.
Pastor Combats Rising Burnout Amid Politics and Pandemic: ‘Wearing it on the Soul’
[Clinicians'”passiontocareforothersshouldnotcomeatthecostoftheirownsafetyhealthorwell-being”[臨床医の「他者のケアへの情熱は、自分自身の安全、健康、幸福を犠牲にしてはならない」[Clinicians'”passiontocareforothersshouldn’tcomeatthecostoftheirownsafetyhealthorwell-being”
The public health director sounded the alarm
Earlier this year, US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy sounded the alarm about what he called a national crisis over healthcare burnout exacerbated by the pandemic.
“The health of our nation depends on the well-being of our healthcare workers,” Marcy said in a release.
“COVID-19 has been a uniquely traumatic experience for health care workers and their families, pushing the breaking point.”
More than half of public health workers reported symptoms of at least one mental health condition, including increased levels of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to the pandemic, according to the Surgeon General’s recommendations doing.
However, healthcare burnout also has ramifications for the country’s public health infrastructure.
Projected shortage of health workers
Many predict a national shortage of more than 3 million low-paid health workers over the next five years, according to the recommendations.
And the Association of American Medical Colleges predicts that demand for doctors will outstrip supply, with a shortfall of up to 139,000 doctors by 2033.
“Physicians have the highest suicide rate, so it is important to recognize early signs of physician burnout and provide resources to reduce physician fatigue.”
However, according to the AMA, one study estimates that one in five physicians plans to quit their current practice within two years.
urgent call to action
“There is strong evidence that interventions by organizations and healthcare delivery systems to reduce administrative burden and improve care environments can reduce burnout,” Shanefelt told Fox News Digital.
“It’s time to act.”
In a recent article, Shanafelt describes a “wellbeing 2.0 phase” that replaces the divisive relationship between physicians and administrators with “thinking of physician-administrator partnerships to create practical and sustainable solutions.” is advocating.
“It is accepted that physicians are subject to the same human limitations that affect all humans, while paying attention to proper staffing, breaks and rest as part of their performance.”
Why ‘Sunday Fear’ Doesn’t Have to Be Scary: Tips for Overcoming Work Worries
The AMA outlines five goals to improve physician health in its AMA Recovery Plan for American Physicians, released in June to address physician needs.
This includes supporting telemedicine, reforming Medicare payments, opposing “inappropriate coverage” by non-physicians, reducing the pre-approval burden, reducing the stigma of physician burnout and mental health issues. It is included.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Fox News medical contributor and family and emergency medicine physician Dr. Janet Neshewat also weighs in on the issue.
“Physicians have the highest suicide rates, so recognizing the early signs of physician burnout and providing resources to reduce physician fatigue will help ensure the best patient outcomes, and ultimately, is important in all aspects of healthcare for the overall health and well-being of physicians,” she said.