Melting Medics: The Reality of Physician Burnout
Abstract
In 2017 researchers from the AMA found that physician burnout has increased to a rate of 43.9% which is now the highest of any profession (10). Physician burnout is a work-related epidemic that is prevalent among half of the practicing physicians internationally. Burnout is essentially physical or mental exhaustion caused by overwork or stress. According to The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), physician burnout is derived from emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and lack of sense of personal accomplishment (14). This growing healthcare crisis adversely affects individual physicians, their patients, and the healthcare system. Some symptoms of burnout include depression, suicide, and substance abuse, among many other mental health problems. The high responsibility and demand that is placed on the physician results in an accumulation of stress.
The following are a series of short films that each dive into specific aspects of physician burnout. The purpose of these films is to bring awareness to the physician burnout epidemic and the interventions that could be implemented as remedies. Primary and secondary medical literature analysis, published statistics, and online journal articles were used to inform the audience about the root causes, consequences, and solutions to physician burnout. One-on-one interviews were used as primary content sources for each film. Three physician interviews were implemented in the films. The interview panel includes a family medicine practitioner from rural California, a GI specialist in Florida, and a Cardiologist in New York who have all experienced healthcare during the pandemic. The goal is to provide the audience with their perspectives on the causes and solutions for burnout as a way to share first-hand information directly from physicians practicing in the United States. This film series is inspired by educational videos from TedEd and MedSchool Insiders. Powtoon, Google Slides, and Imovie were used to produce these films. Each sequential film will be used to shed light on the causes, effects, and solutions to the physician burnout epidemic, so we can, as future physicians and healthcare professionals, recognize and bring about change to reduce physician burnout.
Content
EPISODE 1: Introduction
EPISODE 2: Impact of COVID-19
Episode 3: Solutions to Tackle Physician Burnout
Link to the script: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1l4_2mpxZyNH3OdcRFPAqDOhT6Pc8PBT4BGQdhe8CH2Q/edit?usp=sharing
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