Professional Wellness

According to a 2013 Medscape survey, more than 40% of U.S. physicians reported experiencing at least one symptom of burnout (loss of enthusiasm for work, feelings of cynicism, and a low sense of personal accomplishment). A 2012 study in JAMA Internal Medicine found that more than one-third of physicians were burned out. These startling figures support the American Academy of Family Physicians 2014 Practice Profile report which indicates that family physicians spend 1.8 hours per week on prior authorization of insurance coverage, 7.7 hours per week on non face-to-face patient care issues, and 3.8 hours per week on other non-patient care tasks.

Need Help Now?

Crisis Intervention: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: call 800.273.8255 or text 4HOPE to 741741.

Confidential Resource for Physicians: The Ohio Physicians Health Program (OPHP) offers services and resources to health care professionals affected by mental, emotional, and behavioral illness. To get help or learn more, visit the OPHP website or call 614.841.9690.

Other reasons for this crisis include administrative burden, difficulty finding work-life balance, feeling undervalued, frustrations with referral networks, government regulations, and (of course) reimbursement issues. These frustrations are shared across different types of family medicine practices.

The following resources are provided to help you reduce burnout and increase your resiliency.

Videos

Articles

Online Resources

American Academy of Family Physicians

  • Physician Health First—An interactive web portal with a wealth of well-being resources for Academy members.
  • Focus on Physician Well-Being—An AAFP News topic area presents ongoing coverage and other content that focuses on issues surrounding physician burnout, resilience, and well-being.
American Medical Association STEPS Forward
A practice-based initiative created to provide you with proven strategies that can improve practice efficiency and help you reach better patient experience, better population health, and lower overall costs with improved professional satisfaction.

Help Guide
Provides research-driven, impartial tools and information to help readers strengthen their mental and emotional health, improve their relationships, and take charge of their lives.

Ohio Physicians Health Program
A non-profit organization which offers confidential assistance to physicians and other health care professionals who may be affected by mental, emotional and behavioral illness, substance-related and addictive disorders, or other issues impacting their health and well-being.
  • Burnout Questionnaire—A confidential questionnaire to help you screen yourself for symptoms of burnout.

The Bounce Back Project
A community project created to improve health through happiness.

The Happy MD
Offers a set of field-tested resources to help prevent physician burnout and build an ideal practice along the way.
The Ohio State University Center for Integrative Health and Wellness
Offers the best of both conventional and complementary medicine to promote optimal health, prevent and treat disease, and meet each patient’s unique physical, emotional and spiritual health goals.