People in the healthcare industry are burning out and feeling more unsatisfied than ever. Between Increasing administrative demands, new technologies, and ever-increasing regulations, physicians spend much less of their time treating patients and more time working at a computer. Coupled with the stress and demands of the COVID-19 pandemic over the past few years, it's no wonder that doctors are feeling unsatisfied with their jobs.

When physicians burn out, they battle physical and mental exhaustion. They may not feel like there is much use in treating their patients, or they may depersonalize their patients in order to protect their mental health. Burnout can lead physicians to make mistakes in their practice or can cause them to lean on unhealthy coping mechanisms like drug or alcohol use to cope with their stress. Any of these factors can put a doctor's license in jeopardy. At the Lento Law Firm, our team of nationwide professional license defense professionals understands the stressors that plague the medical profession and can help you protect your license in times of trouble.

How Bad Is Physician Burnout?

According to the American Medical Association, an estimated 63% of physicians across all disciplines and specialties reported feeling symptoms of burnout at least once per week. The highest rates of burnout were in the specialties of urology, neurology, and nephrology, as well as among younger doctors that were 6-10 years out of their training.

Symptoms of physician burnout can include decreased feelings of personal achievement and satisfaction, feeling detached or depersonalizing their patients, and feelings of apathy as well as physical and mental exhaustion. Physicians feeling the symptoms of burnout are more likely to make mistakes while treating patients, more likely to pick up an addictive habit, more likely to quit their jobs or leave the practice of medicine, and even more likely to commit suicide.

What Can Be Done About Burnout?

The medical field has studied physician burnout intensively, looking for ways to alleviate the stress that doctors feel. According to the AMA, physician burnout is not a matter of doctors not being strong enough to handle the physical and emotional burden of practicing medicine. Instead, physician burnout is an indication that there is something wrong with the medical system in which the doctor works. Inefficient hospital practices, problems with hospital administrations, and an increase in “inbox” work were all leading factors in doctor dissatisfaction.

When doctors are subject to increasing and unreasonable demands, have inconsistent or changing requirements, and are overscheduled and overworked, it leads to unhappiness and burnout. When a hospital notices high turnover rates or high levels of job dissatisfaction among its physicians, it should look for ways to reduce the main causes of stress that its doctors face daily. Additionally, working proactively to prevent known causes of burnout can keep doctor satisfaction high.

License Reinstatement After Burnout

The consequences of burnout frequently lead to problems with a doctor's medical license. If you are facing a license suspension or revocation, it is important to know that help is available. While it may take time and patience, doctors who want to restore their privileges should know that they have options. The experienced team of professional license defense attorneys at the Lento Law Firm can help you defend your medical license and protect your career. Contact our office by calling 888.535.3686 and learn more now.