Some 50% of physicians queried in a new survey said they would take a salary reduction of as much as $50,000 annually to reduce burnout. And 46% of radiologists reported feeling burned out, ranking them sixth among all medical specialties, according to a January 15 report from Medscape.
For the report, Medscape collected responses from 15,181 physicians from 29 different specialties who practiced in the U.S. Factors that contributed to and mechanisms for coping with burnout were as follows:
| Effect of burnout on physicians | |
| Factors contributing to burnout | |
| Too many bureaucratic tasks (e.g., paperwork) | 55% |
| Long work hours | 33% |
| Lack of respect from employers, colleagues, or staff | 32% |
| Mechanisms for coping with burnout | |
| Isolation | 45% |
| Exercise | 45% |
| Talking with family and friends | 42% |
| Sleep | 40% |
"The percentage of physicians feeling burned out remains fairly consistent [compared with the previous year]," Dr. Frank Ninivaggi from Yale New Haven Hospital said in the report. "The leading cause is administrative burden, as driven by the workplace and organizational culture."
On average, about 50% of physicians claimed they would take a salary reduction if it meant having more free time and a better work-life balance, with about a third of these physicians saying they would be willing to give up as much as $50,000 annually.
Being burned out also led to depression in 15% to 18% of the physicians. Roughly 23% of physicians also reported having suicidal thoughts, with about 2% having attempted suicide. The majority of burned out and depressed physicians have not sought professional care (61% to 64%), and between 37% and 57% of the physicians' workplaces do not offer a program to help reduce stress and burnout, according to the report.
