The analysis indicates doctors’ work-life balance is getting worse and the number of doctors reporting burnout was 54% in 2014, up from 45% in 2011.
“Given the extensive evidence that burnout among physicians has effects on quality of care, patient satisfaction, turnover, and patient safety, these findings have important implications for society at large,” according to researchers. The survey did not specifically address the impacts of the Affordable Care Act, but the article indicates the increased number of patients and new payment models could contribute.
“The only way to address physician burnout is to relieve doctors of paperwork burdens in the same way some of their clinical responsibilities are being transferred to non-physician providers,” says MerrittHawkins president Mark Smith, in the article.