The Hidden Epidemic: Burnout Among Medical Professionals
- Updated: November 3, 2024
Hi there! I’m Denise G. Lee. I help business owners and leaders deal with tough times at work and home. Today, I want to talk about a big problem that affects many doctors who also run businesses. It’s called physician burnout. This is when doctors feel very tired and stressed because of their work.
This topic is really important. Physician burnout can hurt doctors, their patients, and their businesses. If you’re a doctor who owns a business, you need to know about this. In this article, we’ll look at what physician burnout is, why it happens to doctors who own businesses, and how it’s changing in today’s medical world. We’ll also discuss how to prevent it and what to do if you’re feeling burned out.
What is Physician Burnout?
Physician burnout is more than just feeling tired. It’s when doctors feel so stressed and tired that they can’t do their job well. A doctor might not care about their work anymore. They might make mistakes or want to quit being a doctor. For doctors who own businesses, physician burnout can be even worse. They have to take care of patients and run a business. This can be very hard and stressful.
Signs of physician burnout include:
- Feeling very tired all the time
- Not caring about work
- Feeling like nothing they do matters
- Making more mistakes at work
- Wanting to stop being a doctor
Statistics on Physician Burnout
- According to a 2022 survey by Medscape, 47% of physicians reported feeling burned out.
- A study published in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings found that burnout rates among physicians increased from 45.5% in 2011 to 54.4% in 2014.
- In 2023, the American Medical Association reported that 48.2% of physicians experience at least one symptom of burnout.
Why Do Doctors Who Own Businesses Get Burned Out?
- Too much work: They have to see patients and run a business. This means working long hours. A survey by the Physicians Foundation found that 78% of physicians sometimes, often, or always experience feelings of burnout. The same survey revealed that 58% of physicians cited too many bureaucratic tasks as a leading cause of burnout.
- Lots of responsibility: They have to take care of patients and make sure their business is doing well.
- Many rules to follow: There are lots of rules for doctors and businesses. It can be hard to keep up with all of them.
- Money worries: Running a medical business can be expensive. This can cause a lot of stress.
- Feeling alone: When you own a business, you might not have other doctors to talk to about your problems. This can lead to a sense of isolation and a tendency to develop “learned helplessness,” where you believe that others don’t want to hear about your struggles or that your problems are yours alone to handle.
- Too much technology: Doctors have to learn new computer systems all the time. This can be frustrating.
- Fear of mistakes: Doctors worry a lot about making mistakes that could hurt patients.
All these things together can cause physician burnout. Next, let’s talk about the changing face of medical culture.
The Changing Face of Medical Culture
There’s a big change happening in how doctors think about their work. Younger doctors are starting to challenge the old way of doing things.
Old vs. New Views:
- Older doctors often saw medicine as a calling. They were okay with working all the time.
- Younger doctors are more likely to see medicine as a job. They want time for their life outside of work too.
Technology and Expectations:
- New technology means patients can reach doctors more easily. This can make it hard for doctors to have time off.
Balancing Act:
- Doctors are trying to find a way to take good care of patients and have a life outside of work too.
- This change might be good (less burnout, better mental health) and bad (harder to keep care going, staffing problems).
How Physician Burnout Affects Doctors and Their Practices
“The most alarming finding is that burnout continues to worsen for physicians, despite efforts by healthcare organizations, hospitals, and practices to address it.” – Tait Shanafelt, MD, Director of the Stanford WellMD Center.
Physician burnout doesn’t just hurt doctors. It can also hurt their patients and businesses. Here’s how:
- Worse patient care: When doctors are burned out, they might make more mistakes. A study in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that burnout was associated with a two-fold increased odds of unsafe care, unprofessional behaviors, and low patient satisfaction.
- Unhappy patients: Burned-out doctors might not be as nice to patients. This can make patients unhappy.
- Business problems: When doctors are too tired, they might make bad choices for their business.
- Money problems: Physician burnout can make doctors less productive. This can mean less money for their business.
- Unhappy workers: When a doctor is burned out, their workers might become unhappy too.
- Legal problems: If a burned-out doctor makes a big mistake, they might get sued.
- Health problems: Being stressed for a long time can make doctors sick.
Why It's Okay to Ask for Help
- Talking about your problems can help others: When you share your experience with physician burnout, you might help other doctors feel brave enough to ask for help too.
- Getting help shows you’re smart: Knowing when you need help means you understand yourself well.
- Taking care of yourself helps your business: When you feel good, you can take better care of your patients and your business.
- You’re not alone: Many successful doctors have dealt with physician burnout and got help.
By getting help when you need it, you’re taking care of yourself and setting a good example for others.
Real Stories: Doctors Who Got Help for Burnout
Many doctors who own businesses have dealt with physician burnout. Here are some of their stories. Their names have been changed to protect their privacy:
Dr. Sarah’s Story
Dr. Sarah owned a family doctor’s office. She loved her job but started feeling very tired all the time. Dr. Sarah was worried about asking for help. She thought people might think she was weak.
One day, she almost gave a patient the wrong medicine. This scared her. She decided to get help. She talked to a coach who knew about physician burnout. The coach helped her make changes in her work. She gave some of her work to other people. She also joined a group for doctors who own businesses.
Now, Dr. Sarah loves her job again. Her business is doing better. Her workers are happier too. She tells other doctors it’s okay to ask for help if they feel burned out.
Dr. Mike’s Story
Dr. Mike owned several skin doctor offices. He worked 80 hours every week. He was missing important family events. Dr. Mike didn’t want to admit he was having a hard time. He thought it would make him look bad.
His wife told him she was worried about his health. Dr. Mike decided to talk to a therapist. The therapist helped him learn to take better care of himself. He hired someone to help run his business. This gave him more time to see patients and be with his family.
Now, Dr. Mike talks about physician burnout at doctor meetings. He wants to help other doctors who might be feeling the same way.
Dr. Emily’s Story
Dr. Emily owned a children’s doctor office. She loved taking care of kids, but running a business was hard. Dr. Emilly felt overwhelmed. She was scared to ask for help. She thought people might think she couldn’t do her job.
One day, Dr. Emily had a panic attack at work. This made her realize she needed help. She talked to a doctor about her feelings. The doctor said she had anxiety and physician burnout.
With treatment and support, Dr. Emily made changes in her work. She hired someone to help run her business. She also started exercising and meditating. Now, Dr. Emily talks to other doctors about taking care of their mental health. She wants to help stop physician burnout. These stories show that it’s okay to ask for help if you’re feeling burned out. Getting help can make you a better doctor and business owner.
I hope these stories have inspired you to think not just about improving your practice, but also about better mental and physical health along the way. Remember, prevention is always cheaper than the cure. In the next section, let’s talk about how to prevent physician burnout.
10 Strategies to Avoid Physician Burnout
If you’re a doctor who owns a business, here are some things you can do to prevent physician burnout:
1. Ask for help
Let other people handle some of your work. You don’t need to do intake yourself. I repeat, you don’t need to do tasks that a PA can handle for you. Even better, there’s software that lets your patients fill out forms before they even arrive for their appointment. Think about the people and tools that can make your life easier. You don’t have to do everything yourself.
2. Build a good team
It’s tempting to oversee and micromanage others, especially if you have a new practice. However, if you want it to grow, you need to hire good people. These are people who follow instructions, can train others, and can help you when things get busy in the office. This will give you more time to focus on the important things.
3. Set work hours
Stop trying to be on call all day, every day. This kind of madness needs to stop. Now is the time to decide when you’ll work and when you’ll rest. Make time for your family and hobbies. And if needed, hire a locum tenens.
4. Use technology wisely
Too many of us have a zillion apps but rarely use them to their fullest capacity. Use technology to make your work easier. For example, use apps that block you from doomscrolling on social media or other apps like Updox that automatically send appointment reminders to patients. Let the apps do the legwork for you.
5. Talk to other doctors who own businesses
Sharing your experiences can help you feel less alone. Questions: Are you networking? If not, it’s time to start mixing and mingling. Go to one of those boring conferences—you know, the ones you get emails about for events in a town near you. Now is the time to stop being an island to yourself. And also, stop thinking you need NDAs in place before you talk with others.
6. Take care of yourself
Some doctors you know have mastered the mantra, ‘Do as I say, not as I do.’ They tell their patients to take better care of their health while they push through on just five hours of sleep. Now is the time to do better. Exercise, eat healthy food, and get enough sleep. Heck – take an art classes! Taking time out for ourselves helps all of us handle stress better. Read this article for more self-care tips.
7. Work with a coach
We as humans have a tendency to gaslight ourselves into believing that our situation isn’t as bad as it obviously is. In these moments, we need someone with a clear head who has every incentive to want the best for you, without the drama you might get from friends or family. Hire a coach who understands healthcare and business to give you the advice you need.
8. Think about your goals
You started your practice because you loved working with a specific population. Then life, people, and experiences made you question if this path is right. It’s okay to pivot! Take the time to make sure your work aligns with what you want in life.
9. Try meditation
As a doctor, you’ve been trained to juggle a lot at once—contingencies, backup plans, and expecting the unexpected. Take time to calm down and think about something that has nothing to do with work. Let’s get even more radical and think about nothing at all.
Meditation doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s about allowing yourself to slow down and be aware of your body and one idea that matters most to you. It could be as simple as reflecting on your purpose, values, or moments that spark creativity, serenity, or even joy. This can help you relax and focus better.
10. Don’t be afraid to get help
If you’re feeling very stressed, talk to a therapist, doctor or counselor who understands physician burnout. I’m aware that there’s a stigma around doctors seeking help and that some of you might fear losing your license. But listen—if you’re feeling stressed, you’re more likely to make mistakes that could jeopardize your license.
The industry is evolving and recognizes that doctors need medical help too. So, if you need some extra support, whether through medication or talking with a therapist, don’t hesitate. You, your patients, your family, and everyone around you will benefit from it.
The image sums up these tips. Next, I will share my final thoughts.
Final Thoughts
As a doctor who owns a business, you have a big job. You help people get healthy and you run a company. But to do this well, you need to take care of yourself too. Recognizing physician burnout and getting help is not weak. It’s a smart thing to do. It helps you, your patients, and your business.
Remember, by taking care of yourself, you can take better care of your patients and your business. It’s not selfish to put your health first. It’s necessary for everyone’s health. If you’re feeling burned out or want to learn how to prevent physician burnout, I can help.
As a coach who works with healthcare professionals, I can give you tips to help you do well in your medical career and your business. I also have a podcast where I talk about self care and creating boundaries that will help preserve your sanity in the midst of chaos.
Remember, your health is the key to your success. By dealing with physician burnout, you’re not just helping yourself. You’re helping make healthcare better for everyone. Let’s work together to create a future where doctors who own businesses can do well without burning out.
