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Medscape’s 2024 Physician Burnout and Depression Report highlights both improvements and new concerns regarding physicians’ mental well-being. The survey, which included responses from 9,226 physicians across 26 specialties, reveals that, although burnout rates have slightly decreased compared to 2023, there is an increase in poor mental health days. Emergency medicine continues to report the highest burnout rates, while plastic surgery reports the lowest. The report also examines the causes of burnout and offers advice on coping mechanisms and when to seek help.
Key Points:
- Most Burned-Out Specialties: Emergency medicine (63%), Ob/Gyn (53%), Oncology (53%), Pediatrics (51%), Family medicine (51%), Radiology (51%), Pulmonary medicine (50%), Anesthesiology (50%), Gastroenterology (50%), Internal medicine (50%).
- Least Burned-Out Specialties: Plastic surgery (37%), Ophthalmology (39%), Psychiatry (39%), Pathology (41%), Otolaryngology (43%), Orthopedics (44%), Neurology (44%), Diabetes & endocrinology (44%), Surgery (45%), Critical care (45%).
- Causes of Burnout: Key factors include too many bureaucratic tasks, long work hours, lack of respect from colleagues and employers, inadequate financial compensation, lack of respect from patients, and government regulations.
- Gender Disparities: Female physicians report higher burnout rates due to factors such as fewer leadership roles, compensation disparities, and differences in career advancement opportunities.
- Coping Mechanisms: Physical activity, talking with family or friends, supporting sleep health, getting alone time, playing or listening to music, meditating, counseling, and peer support.
- When to Seek Help: 42% of physicians have felt burned out for more than 2 years, and up to 16% have considered leaving medicine due to burnout. Professional help and resources from organizations like the American Medical Association are recommended.
Burnout is estimated to cost the health care system at least $4.6 billion annually, with the greatest burden attributable to turnover and work-hour reductions among primary care physicians.
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