Since the days of Hippocrates, physicians have been taught to ask this question…
“How are you feeling?”
And some will state to me, in confidential moments, that they are feeling depressed, overwhelmed, unexcited about providing care to others, unable to pay their lingering $150,000 residency debts or to save $250,000 for their children to attend a great college…
Part of the conflict is that physicians have always been taught to “heal thyself.”
As if healing is an easy process… or as if healing can be done alone.
Physician burnout is a critical issue. The costs are tragic.
According to a 2015 article in Medscape, called “Two sides of the physician coin: burnout and well-being” by Scudder and Shanafelt, some 40% of physicians admit regular self-medication. Some of my clients state that number is more realistically at least 60%. The drugs of choice range from alcohol to amphetamines.
In the same study, 15% of physicians have admitted to feeling suicidal ideation in the last 24 months.
Virtually 100% of physicians have experienced burnout at some point in their careers.
The most stressful burnout rate is mid-career, 11-20 years after residency, when over 50% of physicians complain of burnout.
We know that physician engagement is attainable. And we know that physicians cannot talk to their employer or insurer about many confidential concerns.
Contact us today to help any physician. We want any referrals.
Or call us at 704.995.6647.
Physician burnout: how are you feeling?