Physician Burnout: #KareoChat Recap

Physician burnout is a topic getting more attention and rightly so. Studies show burnout rates among physicians across all specialties is as high as 51%,  a sharp increase from just four years ago.

In today’s #Kareochat, host Jenn Dennard (@jenndennard), founder of HealthITChicks (@HealthITChicks) asked some thought-provoking questions regarding physician burnout and some amazing responses came in!

Topics ranged from ways doctors can get more self care to avoid burnout, to discussion of virtual assistance (scribes) in the patient rooms and mention of programs such as Patients over Paperwork and the hope the program will help the burnout issue among other topics.

Welcome to @scandichealth and @yourgpsdoc who joined #KareoChat for the first time! And we invite all of you to join us every first and third Thursday of the month at 9am Pacific time. 

Let’s dive into the chat:

2017 saw a great deal of media coverage on physician burnout. Why now? What factors have pushed it into the spotlight?

T1: I’m no expert, but from what I have read in studies, one factor seems to be the erosion of compassion evidenced in the work environment, values around self-care, compassion for self and others, as automation has risen. #kareochat https://t.co/Nmvts6T7BT

— Stephanie Crabb (@stephaniecrabb) January 25, 2018

Several  interesting tweets came in for this subject. Many ideas were shared about the factors contributing to physician burnout being placed in the spotlight.

How are you seeing physician burnout impact patient care?

This was a popular topic in the chat with discussions from physician self care to talking about burnout witnessed when visiting doctors themselves.

T2: We are also seeing the highest rate of MD vacancies and projected shortages creating supply/demand impacts...longer to get an appt with specialists may lead patients to just give up and not pursue care. #kareochat https://t.co/BwCWwTbEb2

— Stephanie Crabb (@stephaniecrabb) January 25, 2018

T2: Recent Medscape study shows 2/3 of docs feel burnt out/depressed, leading them to feel less engaged with patients, more “easily exasperated” and less friendly – yikes! https://t.co/m3Z6NxF4r5 #KareoChat

— Jennifer Dennard (@JennDennard) January 25, 2018

It may sound counter-intuitive, but how can health IT help prevent (or at least keep from worsening) physician burnout?

Some interesting conversations took place about making sure electronic records are easy to use as well as the use of virtual assistance (mainly scribes in the patient room) and others.

T3: By making the electronic medical record user-friendly!! This is a hot topic for docs. They are designed to optimize billing, are not consistent with workflow, are incredibly tedious...I could go on. #kareochat https://t.co/jd5Ah9Kcud

— Your GPS Doc, LLC (@yourgpsdoc) January 25, 2018

T3: Virtual scribes are having a positive impact. #KareoChat pic.twitter.com/y7AaYg4dDO

— Jennifer Dennard (@JennDennard) January 25, 2018

The conversation about Scribes in the patient rooms was pretty popular, and most were not sure how they felt about their presence.

What role do vendors have to play in helping their end users avoid burnout?

This question sparked some great response. From involving more people in the development phase to building better products.

T4: Involve physicians and nurses in the development phase. #kareochat https://t.co/V3Dv4gHgZs

— Your GPS Doc, LLC (@yourgpsdoc) January 25, 2018

T4 Build better products. It's often whispered but rarely shouted, the top vendors have bottom shelf products that do nothing to lessen burnout. "Yeah, I said it" #Kareochat pic.twitter.com/xx1FVmh0qJ

— ShereeseM, MS/MBA (@ShereesePubHlth) January 25, 2018

This conversation about building better products together took off.

How do you foresee regulatory efforts/programs in 2018 focusing on burnout? Will they help or hinder?

Regulations were mentioned, as well as programs that are working toward reducing the direct stress physicians feel.

T5: @CMSGov seems to be on the right track with its Patients Over Paperwork, Meaningful Measures initiatives #KareoChat pic.twitter.com/jY4n37aTB2

— Jennifer Dennard (@JennDennard) January 25, 2018

T5: Regulations are important but are increasingly a large contributor to #physicianburnout. Checking boxes instead of caring for patients erodes empathy and connection. #kareochat https://t.co/hpJI3Eu8LX

— Your GPS Doc, LLC (@yourgpsdoc) January 25, 2018

What resources would you recommend to physicians struggling with burnout?

Some great recommendations came in from delegating, to practicing self care to encouraging med schools to help in the effort.

Bonus: As a Social Media person I would say delegate where you can, commit to what you have to and practice self care. #KareoChat https://t.co/8irN7brcY9

— Janet M. Kennedy (@GetSocialHealth) January 25, 2018

Bonus: Physician need to find better coping mechanisms and Med schools need to focus on coping tools as a part of practicing. #KareoChat

— ShereeseM, MS/MBA (@ShereesePubHlth) January 25, 2018

This was a great chat about physician burnout. Many great people had a lot to say and offered thoughtful discussion on today’s #KareoChat.

Our host this week, Jenn Dennard did a splendid job of creating a thought provoking hour to discuss a subject that is of concern to us all, whether practicing physicians, healthcare workers or patients.

As always, join us every first and third Thursday at 9 a.m. Pacific time @GoKareo #KareoChat to talk about critical topics facing independent practices and the patients they serve.