Stress, fatigue and burnout are widespread among doctors

According to a spokesperson, physicians are exposed to great stress, exhaustion and burnout, which not only affects their personal well-being but also the medical care and treatment outcomes of patients.

“Almost 25% of physicians reported having clinically diagnosed depression. Almost 10% of physicians reported having suicidal thoughts.” Nader Moinfar, MDMPH, he said at the annual meeting of the American Society of Retina Specialists.

Doctors' mental health problems have multiplied in recent years, Moinfar said, partly because they are faced with a disproportionately high demand: there are about 2.5 doctors for every 1,000 people. This shortage is expected to increase almost sixfold in the next 15 years. There is also a lack of institutional support, he said.

“Almost 50% of doctors are reluctant to seek help, mainly because they work in the health care sector and are stigmatized,” he said.

Medical training and residency programs may not provide resources to alleviate mental health issues. In the early stages of their training, half of medical students experience burnout and 10% have suicidal thoughts. However, when mental health programs are in place, participation is reportedly low.

“Physical exhaustion, burnout and overwork contribute to an increase in potential medical errors,” said Moinfar. “Nearly a quarter of a million deaths are due to medical errors.”

Surgeons experiencing high levels of stress are also prone to decision fatigue, which can lead to poor surgical decisions ranging from being overly cautious to taking unnecessary risks. Physiological responses such as hand tremors can increase the rate of errors in fine motor tasks by as much as 25%, while memory and attention deficits are associated with a 30% increase. Chronic stress in surgeons is also associated with a 15% increase in postoperative infection rates and a 10% increase in patient mortality rates, Moinfar said.

“Ensuring the mental health of physicians is not only a matter of individual well-being, but is also critical to healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. It is imperative to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and provide resources and support to ensure the well-being of physicians and other healthcare workers,” he said.

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Sources/Disclosures

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Source:

Moinfar N. Influence of stress on surgical decisions and performance. Presented at: Annual Meeting of the American Society of Retina Specialists; July 17-20, 2024; Stockholm.

Announcement: Moinfar does not provide any relevant financial information.

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