A recent survey from the American Medical Association on work stress, burnout, and job satisfaction has shown an increase in physician burnout and stress. Job satisfaction among healthcare personnel has decreased by 4% from the previous year. 72% of the 11,000 healthcare workers surveyed reported job satisfaction. This is the first time a drop in job satisfaction has occurred. These results are likely due to the stress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Work Stress and Burnout
Levels of stress among healthcare personnel has increased by 4% from the previous year as 52% of those surveyed reported high levels of stress. Female respondents experienced higher levels of work stress, specifically those who were 6-10 years out of training. Oncology healthcare workers reported the highest levels of stress at 64%, whereas 61% of family medicine workers experienced reported stress.
Work burnout has also increased by 4% among healthcare personnel. Healthcare workers 6-10 years out of training reported the highest levels of burnout at 58%. Higher rates of burnout were also shown in younger women who are newer to their careers. This is suspected to be a result of the pandemic, as they had to combat remote school as well as adjustments to child care. Once again, oncology providers experienced the highest levels of burnout specialty wise, at 70%. Family medicine (59%) and care medicine (57%) followed.
Causes of Physician Burnout
Although the pandemic has undoubtedly contributed to physician stress and burnout, there are other factors playing a role. Just under half of respondents reported they spend extra time on electronic health records (EHR) outside of work hours. 30% of healthcare personnel spend over six hours on EHR outside of the workplace. The average healthcare worker spends about 4.3 additional hours on EHR, which is higher than the previous year.
Under half of respondents feel they are valued by their organization. When healthcare providers feel valued by their organization they experience lower levels of stress, burnout, anxiety and depression. They are also less likely to leave their organization. Unless healthcare workers begin to feel valued, 37% report they will leave their organization within 2 years, which is a 3% increase from the previous year. Action is necessary to ensure healthcare personnel feel valued as a means to combat work stress and burnout.
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References:
AMA (2022, May 17). Burnout benchmark: 28% unhappy with current health care job. Retrieved from: https://www.ama-assn.org/practice-management/physician-health/burnout-benchmark-28-unhappy-current-health-care-job
