How Can Physician Burnout Effect Professional Licensure in Illinois?

 Posted on July 17, 2020 in Medical License Defense

At some point, we have all felt exhausted, cynical, or unhappy with our jobs. This is called burnout and it can have negative effects on job performance and personal happiness. Physician burnout has been one of the topics of concern among the medical community for a few years now. According to the American Medical Association (AMA), more than 40 percent of all physicians in the United States report experiencing signs of burnout. Physician burnout has been linked to higher rates of medical errors, lower quality of patient care, and a higher rate of physician drug and alcohol abuse and/or addiction. Physician burnout and its associated outcomes could have serious implications for your Illinois medical license.

Signs of Burnout

Burnout is a long-term response to work-related stress that is characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and diminished feelings of personal accomplishment. Burnout is not unique to medical professions, but physicians tend to be more prone than others. Other symptoms of burnout can include:

• Fatigue
• Loss of empathy
• Cynical or negative attitudes toward patients
• Decreased productivity
• Detachment
• Depression
• Suicidal thoughts

Effects of Burnout

Physician burnout has been considered by many to be an epidemic that is consistent with providers across the country. Not only does burnout severely impact the provider’s own physical and mental health, but it can also impact their job performance, future job prospects, and patient care and health. According to a study published by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine, physicians who reported symptoms of burnout were more than twice as likely to make a medical error than physicians who did not report symptoms of burnout.

Contact an Illinois Medical License Defense Attorney

In a high-stress profession such as a physician, it is no surprise that many providers experience symptoms of burnout at some point in their careers. However, burnout can be dangerous for your own physical health and for your career. Burnout has been linked to increased errors, which could cause issues with your Illinois medical license. At The Law Offices of Joseph J. Bogdan, Inc., we are committed to helping you retain your medical license. Contact our knowledgeable Illinois medical license defense lawyer today at 630-310-1267 to schedule a consultation.

Sources:

https://www.ama-assn.org/practice-management/physician-health/what-should-be-done-about-physician-burnout-epidemic

https://edhub.ama-assn.org/steps-forward/module/2702509

https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2018/07/medical-errors-may-stem-more-from-physician-burnout.html