New Study: Physician Stress and Burnout Reaching Crisis Levels, Causing Many to Leave Their Practices

Work/Life Balance, Desire for Wellness Activities, and Health Care Reform Lead List of Concerns

This infographic details the top findings from VITAL WorkLife's 2015 physician stress and burnout study. (Graphic: Business Wire)

MINNEAPOLIS--()--A 2015 study by VITAL WorkLife and Cejka Search reveals physician stress and burnout has risen since their 2011 study done under their former name, Physician Wellness Services. Forty-six percent of physicians are severely stressed today, compared to 38 percent in 2011. Overall, 89 percent of respondents desired some degree of job change, ranging from switching careers to leaving medicine entirely.

“The medicine field is intense and demanding; some stress factors are out of physicians’ and organizations’ control,” said Mitchell Best, CEO of VITAL WorkLife.

Cejka Search President, John Gramer, added, “While physicians’ burden increases, only 19 percent of survey respondents reported successful physician support systems within their organizations. This impacts retention, workplace satisfaction and patient care.”

Leading stressors are maintaining a healthy work/life balance and keeping up with the demands of administration. Physicians’ work and personal lives are affected by a lower job satisfaction, a desire to work fewer hours or leave the practice and general feelings of tiredness and irritability.

“The higher the prevalence of stress and burnout, the more risk for organizations and patients,” Best said, citing:

  • Loss of revenue
  • Reduced patient care
  • High cost of recruiting new physicians
  • Loss of a trusted resource for patients’ medical needs
  • Diminished patient safety

Preferences for managing stress included more time off, ancillary support and a better understanding from administration of physician challenges.

Download the full news release at http://vitalworklife.com/blog/2015/04/15/physician-stress-burnout/ or the complete study at http://info.VITALWorkLife.com/Stress2015.

About VITAL WorkLife

VITAL WorkLife, Inc.™ is a national behavioral health consulting organization supporting people facing life's challenges, while assisting organizations in improving workplace productivity. We have deep experience in healthcare, especially assisting physicians and providers in dealing with the challenges facing their profession. For 30+ years, we have offered industry-leading Employee Assistance Programs, specialized support, training and consulting for many industries.

About Cejka Search

Cejka Search recruits top healthcare talent for organizations nationwide through our team of experienced professionals, award-winning recruitment technology and commitment to service excellence. Cejka Search is a member of the Cross Country Healthcare, Inc. (Nasdaq; CCRN) family of companies. Visit www.cejkasearch.com/

Contacts

Risdall Public Relations
Joel Swanson, APR, 651-286-6774
jswanson@risdall.com
or
VITAL WorkLife
Susan Otten, 952-230-5114
Susan.Otten@VITALWorkLife.com

Release Summary

A 2015 study shows physicians' stress is rising, increasing the potential for burnout. Eighty-nine percent of survey respondents desired some degree of job change, including leaving medicine entirely.

Contacts

Risdall Public Relations
Joel Swanson, APR, 651-286-6774
jswanson@risdall.com
or
VITAL WorkLife
Susan Otten, 952-230-5114
Susan.Otten@VITALWorkLife.com