Sue Dean, Southern Cross University and Deb Massey, Southern Cross University
Burnout and ‘compassion fatigue’ can compromise patient safety and signal health worker exhaustion. And they are a ticking time bomb for health care.
Until the government acknowledges the critical role family physicians have in population health and on easing the burden on acute hospital care, pressures will only be relieved temporarily.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
A strong primary care system keeps patients away from emergency departments and helps patients self-manage illnesses. But Ontario’s plan to ease pressure on emergency rooms ignores family medicine.
Physician burnout is more prevalent in women than men.
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Tyra Fainstad, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and Adrienne Mann, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Physician burnout is a severe problem in the medical field, made much worse by the COVID-19 pandemic. But an online coaching program that could be scaled up had dramatic results for participants.
Police officers speak to a health-care professional outside the emergency department at Toronto General Hospital during a protest against COVID-19 measures in September 2021.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
Although demanding, disruptive and violent patients are a major contributor to physician burnout, solutions to address this increasing problem are not a priority.
Thousands of physicians throughout the U.S. rely daily on the critical data provided to them by medical labs.
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The health care system is hemorrhaging medical lab workers, in part because of COVID-19 infections and also because of burnout, low wages and better opportunities elsewhere.
Nurses and healthcare workers will need more support in the longer term to deal with the considerable effect COVID-19 has had on mental health and wellbeing.
Research shows that as burnout increases, empathy decreases.
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A recent study looked at how female doctors were introduced at a lecture series compared to how male doctors were introduced. The title ‘Dr.’ was used much more often for men.
Physician burnout can have an impact on both the doctors and their patients.
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Doctor depression, burnout and suicide have been rising for some time, and overwork was considered the norm. A health care lawyer explains why the legal and regulatory systems must intervene.
Canadian medical students graduate with up to $200,000 in debt, and burnout rates are high.
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A ‘learn local’ strategy, along with increased residency positions and the return of a rotating internship could go a long way towards improving Canada’s system of medical training.
Pursuit of dedicated, non-academic activities such as exercise and sports may protect students from academic burnout.
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Medical school efforts to cultivate good wellness practices and adaptive coping skills in medical students may offer an effective long-term solution to physician burnout.
Doctors can play a role not only in the treatment of their patients but also broader issues.
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The knowledge and experience of doctors offer much-needed lessons for our rancorous society.
Medical social workers perform many tasks for patients, but the work is taking a high toll on them, leading to burnout and attrition.
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Medical social workers coordinate care, an especially important job in complicated cases. Just as nurses and doctors are feeling burned out, these unsung heroes are feeling the burn, too. Here’s why that’s dangerous.
Suicide is more prevalent among doctors than any other profession. Burnout could be a reason.
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The opening session of a meeting of neurologists focused on a problem plaguing doctors: burnout. Doctors are growing increasingly stressed, and it’s affecting patients, too.
Over a quarter of medical students suffer depression. Almost half of US physicians say they’re burnt out. A doctor reflects on how much more burdensome and less fulfilling the profession has become.