Although nearly 63 percent of physicians say their stress and burnout have increased in the past three years, only 15 percent say their organizations have done anything to help, according to a survey from Cejka Search and Physician Wellness Services.
Cejka and PWS conducted the national survey in Sept. 2011 to evaluate physicians’ stress and burnout and analyze the measures hospitals, clinics and healthcare organizations take to help physicians overcome these issues.
Physicians said the top four external stress factors are the economy; healthcare reform; Medicare and Medicaid policies; and unemployed and uninsured patients. Their work-related stressors are administrative demands, long work hours, on-call schedules and worries about malpractice lawsuits.
One survey respondent said he/she hoped the survey would be constructive so “employers will recognize the huge issue of stress in medicine, as we are losing fine physicians largely because administration is not listening well,” according to the news release.
Study leaders said that while hospital administrators cannot control external factors like the economy and healthcare reform, they can provide physicians with services and support to help them manage stress properly and have more energy.
Related Articles on Physicians’ Employment Satisfaction:
Malpractice Lawsuits Linked to Physician Burnout, Dissatisfaction
Senior Execs, Surgeons and Physicians Top List of Most “Overrated” Jobs
Study Finds Effort, Stress Similar Across Physician Specialties
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