1st Quarter Edition 2016
Physicians are facing an “alarming level” of burnout. Although physician burnout has been studied over the last few decades, seemingly small changes have been made to accomplish better work/life balances, less stressful work environments, and an overall higher satisfaction with physician’s medical careers. In fact, studies in JAMA show that burnout is more common among physicians than among any other US workers. It has become such an epidemic that the inventors of the Maslach Burnout Inventory described physician burnout as: “… an erosion of the soul caused by a deterioration of one’s values, dignity, spirit and will.” The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), “the gold standard tool for measuring burnout,” addresses three scales of symptoms: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and low personal accomplishment, impacting both sides of the stethoscope- the physician and the patient.
It is inevitable that physician burnout has negative affects on the quality of patient care and patient outcomes. In this issue, we are bringing you an exclusive interview with Dr. Arvis Hoven, MD (former President of the AMA and Chairperson of Council of the World Medical Association), to discuss the causes and effects of physician burnout. Moreover, we have a broad spectrum of articles that will help you understand how physician burnout is impacting physicians in your organization and the overall US health care system.
