What You Should Know:
– A recent study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings indicates that occupational burnout rates among physicians in the United States are decreasing after reaching a peak in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
– Despite this improvement, the American Medical Association (AMA) emphasizes that U.S. physicians still experience a higher risk of burnout compared to other U.S. workers. The AMA is urging a continued focus on addressing the root causes of physician burnout.
Physician Burnout Rates Key Findings
The study, conducted by researchers from the AMA, Mayo Clinic, Stanford Medicine, and the University of Colorado School of Medicine, is notable for consistently measuring physician burnout rates over a 12-year period (2011-2023), encompassing significant disruptions in the healthcare system.
Key findings from the study include:
- In 2023, the overall prevalence of burnout among U.S. physicians was 45.2%.
- The burnout rate peaked at 62.8% in 2021.
- The lowest rate recorded during the 12-year period was 38.2% in 2020.
- Prior to 2020, burnout rates were: 43.9% in 2017, 54.4% in 2014, and 45.5% in 2011.
- Throughout the study period, the prevalence of occupational burnout among U.S. physicians was consistently higher than that of the general U.S. workforce.
AMA Physician Information and Resources
To address this ongoing issue, the AMA offers a range of resources and programs for physicians and health systems, including:
- Joy in Medicine™ Health System Recognition Program: This AMA distinction recognizes health organizations that have demonstrated a commitment to reducing physician burnout by addressing its underlying causes.
- AMA STEPS Forward®: This initiative provides resources and interactive programming to help physicians and medical teams implement transformative changes in their practices, covering topics such as stress management, burnout prevention, and workflow improvement.
- Organizational Biopsy®: This AMA tool assesses burnout levels within medical organizations, providing data-driven insights to guide the development of solutions and interventions.
- American Conference on Physician Health™: This scientific conference, sponsored by the AMA, Mayo Clinic, and Stanford Medicine, promotes research and discussion on actionable strategies to improve physician well-being. The next conference will be held in Boston this September.
- Debunking Regulatory Myths: This AMA series aims to reduce administrative burdens and streamline clinical workflows, ultimately improving physician satisfaction and patient outcomes.
“The ebbing rate of physician burnout is a welcome result of the strides made since the COVID emergency to correct existing systematic flaws in health care that interfere with patient care and inflict a toll on physician well-being,” said AMA President Bruce A. Scott, M.D. “Despite improvements, physician burnout levels remain much higher than other U.S. workers. Continued efforts are needed across the health system to drive policy change, burden relief, workflow enhancement and technology improvement that are essential to fighting the root causes of the physician burnout crisis.”
