Last updated on October 17, 2019
updated 10/18/19
There’s so much content coming out each week now on physician burnout, I decided to round-up selected links into a single blog post.
1. The 3 Causes Of Physician Burnout (And Why There’s No Simple Solution)
by Robert Pearl MD
Dr. Pearl covers the scope of the problem and then in this Forbes article tackles “this strange division—between the urgency of the problem and the lack of effective solutions.” He concludes that the healthcare system and physicians must share the blame equally.
Agree or disagree? Comment below.
2. Is Work Making You Ill?
by Caroline Kamau, Ph.D. and Asta Medisauskaite, Ph.D.
In this Psychology Today blog article, the authors “have coined the term ‘occupational distress,’ which we define as a syndrome comprising any possible symptoms of psychological anguish or impairment caused by work.”
They cover a succinct list of physical symptoms that can result from workplace burnout aka occupational distress. Their conclusion: “Be self-compassionate and take action to protect your health.”
3. Physician Burnout and Sadness: Powerful Expressions
by Keith L. Martin
This compelling slideshow compilation on Medscape depicts artwork by physicians, nurses, and pharmacists, “conveying the misery of burnout.”
I was especially moved by #2, #9 and #10. I highly recommended taking 2 minutes out of your day to peruse this short slideshow. You won’t regret it.
(please note you might need a Medscape login to view, but it should be free to signup if you don’t have one).
4. House committee throws spotlight on prior authorization burden
by Shelby Livingston and Susannah Luthi
This Modern Healthcare article covers the news that last week, physician associations called on U.S. House of Representatives lawmakers to pass legislation to streamline prior authorization.
One physician “described the “chaos” of having to deal with 35 different health insurers that all have their own prior authorization processes and drug formularies that change regularly, making it hard to know in advance what services and medications will be covered. ‘My patients rarely blame insurance company for this,’ he said. ‘They blame me for not giving them the medications they need, yell at my staff or just stop taking the medications they need to prevent hospitalization.'”
Another physician testified that 25% of all his office staff’s work is devoted now to prior authorizations. (That sounds about right in my experience as well).
It was also “pointed out that HHS Office of the Inspector General in 2018 said Medicare Advantage insurers may have incentive to deny prior-authorization requests to increase profits.”
The authors cover the current status of the bill and the potential hang-ups it will face.
5. Free showing of ‘Do No Harm’ film about physician suicide set for Sept. 20
Yakima Herald-Republic Sep 11, 2019 Updated Sep 12, 2019
For those of you in the Northwest, “The Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences’ Family Medicine Interest Group and the Yakima County Medical Society will present the film, “Do No Harm,” at 6:30 p.m. at Butler-Haney Hall on the university’s Terrace Heights campus.”
Dr. Pamela Wible, physician, author, and activist, will be part of a panel discussion after the film. (her site is also a great resource for physicians!)
National Physician Suicide Awareness Day is September 17, 2019
Shine a Light. Speak its name. Vision Zero mission statement here.
What did I miss? Do you know of an article that should be on this list? Please comment below! Or contact me.