What You Should Know:
- AdvancedMD, a provider of cloud-based healthcare software for independent medical, mental health, and physical therapy practices, announced today the results of a mental health survey of healthcare providers employed at ambulatory practices.
- The survey revealed patients are more stressed out now than they were three years ago during the Covid-19 pandemic. Among the physician practice groups surveyed by AdvancedMD, 84% said they have seen an increase in patient stress levels and mental health disorders during the last three years.
Rising Patient Stress Levels and Mental Health Disorders: A Closer Look at the Post-Pandemic Impact on Healthcare Providers
In 2021, the American Psychological Association published a report revealing that almost 33% of adults in the United States experienced significant stress due to the pandemic, which consequently hindered their ability to make even simple decisions. Now, fast-forwarding almost three years later, the impact of elevated stress levels extends beyond the general population, with healthcare providers also feeling the strain. According to a survey conducted by AdvancedMD, a staggering 64% of healthcare professionals reported that their work-related stress levels have increased compared to the previous year (2020)
“Mental health care is a critical component of the total patient experience, which is why we’re seeing so many primary care practices bringing behavioral health services into the fold. It’s the reason AdvancedMD has prioritized its telehealth capabilities,” said AdvancedMD President Amanda Hansen. “But it’s not just patients experiencing high levels of stress. Healthcare providers are also managing elevated stress levels. Staffing shortages combined with increased patient volumes means a significant uptick in daily work responsibilities for all medical office staff—making clear just how important it is to have effective EHR, practice management, and patient engagement solutions in place to streamline workflow processes and drive productivity.”
Among the healthcare providers surveyed, when questioned about the primary factors influencing their work-related stress levels, 31% attributed it to staffing shortages, while 29% pointed to increased patient volumes. For 40% of the participants, their daily responsibilities were identified as the biggest contributors to their work-related stress issues. However, it is encouraging to note that a significant majority (44%) of those surveyed rely on exercise as a coping mechanism to manage their stress levels.
