![]() ![]() ![]() Recognizing the warning signs of stress and burnout can help an at-risk individual take appropriate steps toward self-care. In health care settings, the consequences of stress and burnout have been consistently linked to increased risk of medical errors and poor patient safety. Untreated, increased stress and burnout can lead to deepening depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and even suicide. Unfortunately, in today’s COVID-19 pandemic environment, those top contributing factors to physician stress and burnout - increased work demands, social isolation during “lockdown,” increased exposure to traumatic events at work - have remained high, accelerating physician stress and burnout. This type of questioning often leads physicians and other health care professionals to pay “out of pocket” for mental health services or not seek care at all. In the worst cases, doctors may be restricted in how they practice medicine or even lose their licenses.” 5 “Disclosure can trigger a call to appear before the state board, a demand for medical records, or even a psychiatric evaluation. These types of questions can also occur when applying for hospital credentials or insurance reimbursements. However, in dozens of other states, medical boards ask physicians extensive questions about their health histories including a requirement to disclose any diagnosis or treatment for mental illness. 4 Instead, the TMB asks follow-up questions on mental health only if the applicant reports they have an untreated condition that could impair their judgment or ability to safely practice medicine, such as a mental health or substance abuse issue. In July 2020, a study of physician license applications across the United States revealed that the Texas Medical Board (TMB) was one of 17 states that did not ask intrusive questions that would require disclosure of mental health conditions. According to a recent study published by the Mayo Clinic, nearly 40 percent of physicians reported they “would be reluctant to seek medical care for treatment of a mental health condition because of concerns about repercussions to their medical licensure.” 3 One is the stigma many physicians feel they will take on by admitting a need for mental health services, and the potential consequences for a physician who admits to such a vulnerability. Among those respondents who reported stress and burnout, the main reason given for not seeking mental health care or services was they were “too busy.” 2īut there are other factors keeping physicians from seeking care. While these numbers point to a potential mental health crisis among health care workers, the study also shows that 87 percent of respondents have not sought or received mental health care services or medication during the COVID-19 crisis. The study also found that more than half of the respondents consider themselves victims of “burn out” while approximately 62 percent report that stress has impacted their mental health. Mounting personal fears of infection, illness, and exposing COVID-19 to loved ones and family members, and frustrations with insufficient PPE are just some of the contributors. The reasons behind these decisions include a jumble of emotions caused by the pressure and chaos of the pandemic. And with the rise of the Delta variant, these overwhelming conditions could intensify in the weeks and months to come.Īccording to a new study by the Washington Post and Kaiser Family Foundation, approximately 29 percent of health care workers have considered leaving their profession. ![]() A combination of intense workloads, disruptive patients, punishing schedules, limited personal protection equipment (PPE), and devastating patient outcomes have created a work environment that many have come to dread. Texas Medical Liability Trust Resource HubĪs we are more than 18 months into the COVID-19 pandemic, physicians and other health care professionals are finding themselves feeling emotionally, physically, and spiritually drained. ![]()
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