Physician Burnout Rate Is Highest Among Generation X Doctors

A recently released survey indicates that burnout remains a serious challenge for physicians. The Medscape National Physician Burnout & Suicide Report 2020 indicated that 42% of the over 15,000 physicians in more than 29 specialties surveyed were experiencing burnout.

This issue has gained increasing media and research attention in recent years, as physician suicide rates climb. OTW has previously reported on the emotional toll and danger of burnout, and in particular how burnout affects orthopedic doctors in the recent pieces “Physician Burnout, its Costs and Treatment” and “The Alarming Rise of Physician Suicide.”

An estimated 300-400 doctors commit suicide each year. Colonel James Ficke, M.D., is Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Director of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and orthopaedist-in-chief of The Johns Hopkins Hospital. Dr. Ficke lectures young doctors on avoiding physician burnout and has pointed out that in the last 20 years, 33 orthopedic surgeons have committed suicide.

The recent Medscape report brought more specific burnout-related information to light, highlighting the variation in how different generations are responding to the stressors of working in medicine. Among baby boomers (55-73 years old), Generation X (40-54 years old), and millennials (25-39 years old), Generation X doctors reported significantly more burnout symptoms than other groups.

Carol A. Bernstein, M.D., vice chair for faculty development and well-being, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, said “Mid-career is typically the time of highest burnout, which is where Gen Xers are in their career trajectories…In addition, I suspect that group is juggling multiple roles outside of work, including caring for children as well as elderly parents, and working as well as planning for retirement. Role strain and transition periods also increase stress.”

Frank John Ninivaggi, M.D., a physician at Yale New Haven Hospital and author of “Learned Mindfulness: Physician Engagement and MD Wellness” explained some of the origins of this stress. “The percentage of physicians feeling burned out remains fairly consistent. The leading cause is administrative burden, as driven by the workplace and organizational culture.”

Extended hours and workload, and lack of support are additional stressors reported by physicians. “I have to catch up with charting, even at home. I’m worrying about always being behind. The pressure from my employer about not seeing enough patients is very stressful. There’s no work-life balance,” stated one doctor. “Increasing EHR [electronic health records] data requirements turns us into technicians,” said another.

An excess of bureaucratic tasks was the most commonly reported professional stressor in the Medscape survey. Across generations, 49% of all physicians surveyed reported that they would accept decreased pay in exchange for more free time.

As OTW previously reported in “70% of M.D.s Stressed by EHRS, Orthopedic Surgeons Hit Worst”, some research suggests that orthopedic surgeons are suffering the highest levels of electronic health records system-related burnout of any specialty.