Physicians more burned out than ever

A study published in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings shows a rise in burnout rates and dissatisfaction with work-life balance (WLB). Researchers found that between 2011 and 2014 physicians reporting at least one sign of burnout increased from 45.5% to 54.4%. Physician WLB satisfaction dropped from 48.5% to 40.9% during the same time frame.
Meanwhile, WLB satisfaction for the general population increased for the general population, from 55.1% satisfaction in 2011 to 61.3% in 2014. Burnout rates for the general population remained stable at about 28.6%.
Quality, efficiency, input, and appreciation can be the keys to fighting physician burnout, according to a recent column written by Patrick Pianezza, MHA, the manager of patient experience at VEP Healthcare, for Briefings on Accreditation and Quality (formerly Briefings on The Joint Commission).