Is Your Doctor Burnt Out?

Studies find that 30 to 68 percent of physicians exhibit some sign of burnout. The signs include "emotional exhaustion”, "depersonalization" and a "low sense of personal accomplishment". The nature of medical training and the high-achieving, self-reliant personality of its practitioners make it less likely that they will seek help for what ails them. Stressors such as the rigors of medical education lead to a physician suicide rate twice as high as that of the general population.

It may be hard to feel sympathy for a highly paid professional who can cry all the way to the bank, but burnout affects the care you receive. Burnt-out docs are more likely to make mistakes and their patients are less likely to be satisfied with their care or achieve appropriate treatment goals. An unhappy doctor is bad for your health.