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Although the risk of burnout became apparent during the Covid-19 pandemic, so much so that the WHO classified it as an occupational syndrome, it is not a novel phenomenon in the health industry. In fact, burnout research shows that of all occupational groups, physicians and other healthcare workers are one of the most susceptible — […]
Although the risk of burnout became apparent during the Covid-19 pandemic, so much so that the WHO classified it as an occupational syndrome, it is not a novel phenomenon in the health industry. In fact, burnout research shows that of all occupational groups, physicians and other healthcare workers are one of the most susceptible — 56% of doctors in this study were found to have experienced burnout compared to 28% of the general public.
Unfortunately, the effects of burnout are not borne by just the providers alone but might inadvertently affect their workplace relationships or even worse, impact their efficiency when dealing with patients. And in this age of health consumerism, where patients have a vested interest in their healthcare, analysing it with the same critical lens as they would retail, engagement has become king. In this context, it is important to note that losing patients doesn’t solely hinge on gross errors; even seemingly minor issues such as prolonged wait times or appointment scheduling difficulties could see you lose patients in droves.
Additionally, the toll that burnout takes on physicians has been found to significantly reduce their job satisfaction, leading to quick turnover in practices. One study estimated the attributable cost of physician burnout in the United States and found that organisations were losing up to $7,600 per physician annually due to reduced work hours and the expense of recruiting and training replacements. This is why it is crucial for practices to take a proactive stance on combating burnout before its onset.
As much as your physicians strive to provide the highest quality care, the increasing demands of electronic health records, insurance paperwork, and administrative tasks might occupy too much of their time and prevent them from focusing on patient care. This can lead to feelings of increased stress and burnout that reduce work satisfaction and ultimately impact their ability to connect with their patients.
If left unaddressed, burnout poses a serious risk to patient safety, the quality of care they receive, and the overall success of a practice.
Here are some of the resultant effects of physician burnout:
Burnout significantly impacts a practice’s ability to properly engage with patients. Exhausted physicians and staff struggle to show empathy, compassion, and active listening that are essential for patient-centred care. Since the modern patient is intuitive and can easily sense detachment, this may make them feel unsupported and uncared for. Over time, the physician-patient relationship is eroded, causing patients to become less engaged and more likely to seek medical attention elsewhere.
Doctors and staff experiencing high stress and fatigue often rush visits, use more technical jargon, and spend less time educating patients and addressing their questions or concerns. Patients leave confused, anxious, and with a lack of understanding about their conditions or next steps. This can lead to lower satisfaction rates and impede successful outcomes.
Excessive workloads and mental exhaustion reduce concentration, critical thinking, and decision making. Not only does burnout increase the chances of errors like incorrect diagnoses or adverse drug events, it may also impact your reputation and cause a dip in patient loyalty.
To prevent administrative burnout and improve patient care, medical practices must implement actionable solutions such as:
Ensure all staff have proper training, tools, and resources to effectively do their jobs. Provide ongoing education on new technologies, procedures, and policies. When employees feel competent and supported, their stress levels decrease.
Encourage staff to take regular vacations and unplug when off work. Limit excessive overtime and avoid contacting employees during non-work hours unless absolutely necessary. Offering flexible schedules or remote work options can help staff achieve better balance.
Provide meaningful recognition and rewards to boost motivation and morale. Thank staff for their contributions and hard work. Consider offering bonuses, extra paid time off or other incentives based on performance and years of service. Feeling valued and appreciated greatly impacts job satisfaction and wellbeing.
Ensure workloads are evenly distributed and reasonable based on employees’ roles and experience levels. Re-evaluate responsibilities and make adjustments as needed to prevent overload. When staff feel overwhelmed, their quality of work and patient care suffers.
When practices leverage sophisticated tools and innovative solutions, they can streamline administrative workflows and free their workforce from the burdens of repetitive and time-consuming tasks.
By embracing technology-driven solutions, such as automated documentation systems, scheduling platforms, and data analytics, healthcare professionals can reclaim precious time and redirect their focus towards meaningful patient interactions and strategic decision-making.
But not just any infrastructure will work. Reports show that using disparate systems is counter-intuitive and may actually contribute to more burnout among physicians and non-clinical staff. Our experts advise that practices use a comprehensive EHR that brings together intuitive tools under one roof.
