A new report on burnout among physicians indicates that the condition is prevalent in the U.S., with more than 40% of doctors reporting feelings of burnout. Among medical specialties, radiologists reported burnout rates that were slightly higher than the average for all physicians.
In a survey of more than 15,000 physicians from 29 medical specialties, 42% reported burnout, according to the report from Medscape. What's more, 3% reported feelings of clinical depression, while another 12% reporting "feeling down."
Among the medical specialties, radiologists landed at the upper end in terms of the share of physicians reporting burnout, at 45%. Topping the list were critical care physicians and neurologists, each at 48%, followed by family medicine physicians at 47% and ob/gyn doctors at 46%.
| Top 10 U.S. medical specialties reporting burnout | |
| Medical specialty | Percent reporting burnout |
| Critical care | 48% |
| Neurology | 48% |
| Family medicine | 47% |
| Ob/gyn | 46% |
| Internal medicine | 46% |
| Emergency medicine | 45% |
| Radiology | 45% |
| Physical medicine and rehab | 44% |
| Urology | 44% |
| Allergy and immunology | 44% |
At the bottom of the scale were plastic surgeons at 23%, dermatologists and pathologists at 32%, and ophthalmologists at 33%. These types of physicians are less likely to work under emergent conditions, the report noted.
Further parsing the numbers, Medscape found that 48% of female physicians reported burnout, compared with 38% of male doctors. Burnout rates also change by age, with 35% of the youngest group reporting burnout, rising to 50% of doctors between the ages of 45 and 54. However, burnout rates then fell to 41% for those ages 55 to 69.
Among the physicians who reported being depressed, 40% said they didn't think it affected their care of patients. But 33% said they were easily exasperated by patients, and 32% said they engaged less with patients as a result of burnout. Some 14% said their depression caused them to make errors they didn't usually make, and 5% admitted that these errors could harm patients.
What was the biggest cause of physician burnout? A solid majority (56%) said too many bureaucratic tasks was the cause, while 39% reported spending too many hours at work. In addition, 26% said a lack of respect from colleagues and staff was a cause.
The report can be viewed by clicking here.
