Doctors’ Stress Impacts Patients

The results of a 2018 nationwide survey by The Physicians Foundation demonstrate what doctors think about the state of the medical profession, including doctors’ stress. This survey, completed by over 8,770 doctors, shows that doctors have low morale and high stress. Doctors struggle to provide patients with reasonable access to care, and to adapt to changing delivery and payment models. It’s important to understand how doctors’ stress can impact your care.

Most doctors are stressed or burned-out.

• 78% state they sometimes, often, or always experience feelings of burnout.
• 55% describe their morale as somewhat or very negative.

Doctors aren’t excited about the future of medicine as a career.

• 46% plan to change career paths.
• Only 38% describe their feelings about the future of the medical profession as either very or somewhat positive.
• 27% would not choose to be doctors if they had a career “do over”
• 49% would not recommend medicine as a career for their children or young people

Many doctors struggle to find enough time for patients. 

• 24% are overextended and overworked.
• 62% report that external factors (such as 3rd party authorizations, treatment protocols, and EHRs) significantly detract from the quality of care they are able to provide.

Most doctors see a lot of patients each day.

• 18% see 0-10/day
• 40% see 11-20/day
• 28% see 21-30/day
• 9% see 31-40/day

Doctors are spending many hours each week on non-clinical (paperwork, etc.) tasks.

The hours spent each week on non-clinical work:

• 25% – 0-5 hours
• 29% – 6-10 hours
• 19% – 11-15 hours
• 12% – 16-20 hours
• 6% – 21-25 hours

Most doctors don’t love EHRs (electronic health records).

• Only 8% say EHRs improve patient interaction; but 66% report EHRs have detracted from patient interaction.
• 29% report EHRs have improved quality of care; yet 36% report EHRs have reduced their quality of care.

It’s going to get harder and harder to find doctors for our care!

• 56% are at full capacity, with no time for new patients

What doctors like most about their jobs:

• 79% say their relationships with their patients are the most satisfying part of their work.

What doctors dislike most about their jobs:

• 37% say the loss of clinical autonomy is among the least satisfying aspect of their job.
• 30% say professional liability and malpractice concerns is the least satisfying aspect.

What does doctors’ stress mean for patients?

It’s important to be aware that doctors, as a group, are stressed, overworked and burned-out. This can impact not only the pleasantness of your interactions, but it can decrease the quality of the care you receive.

It’s clear that most of us will be impacted at some point by doctors’ struggles to provide quality care in time-limited appointment slots. Follow these steps to get the most out of your time-limited medical appointments:

1. Prepare for appointments! Write down your “story” and your questions before your appointment. Make sure you relate all of this to your doctor – even if he/she is rushing you.
2. Take careful notes. Use a notebook to keep track of signs, symptoms and questions at home, and to record all important information at medical appointments.
3. Don’t be afraid to ask your doctor to repeat or rephrase something if you don’t understand. Don’t give up until you feel comfortable in your knowledge.
4. If something doesn’t seem right – speak up! Be the polite, squeaky wheel.
5. Pay close attention to medication management – be sure you understand why, how and when to take each medication.
6. Be sure each doctor on your team has a complete list of all the medications you are taking, including over-the-counter medications.
7. Keep your medical records (test results and reports, clinical trial information, etc) organized and bring them with you to every medical appointment.

Learn more…

Be engaged in your care – it will help you get the best care and outcome possible. Read these blog posts for tips:

• Understanding Medical Information Is Harder Than Most Realize.
• 10 Tips for a Better Medical Appointment.
• Why Take Detailed Notes at Doctor Appointments?
• How Can You Get the Best Healthcare? Actively Participate!
• 10 Tips to Communicate Better with Doctors.
• 6 Tips to Better Manage Your Care.
• What is the Best Time of Day for Medical Care?
• How Can You Get the Best Healthcare? Actively Participate!