Physician Wellness and Resiliency: #KareoChat Recap

In 1999 the National Association of Inpatient Physicians (SHM’s former name) discovered a 13% burnout rate among hospitalists as well as an additional 25% at risk for burnout. Though that sounds high, they found that emergency and critical care physicians experience burnout rates of up to 60%.

With the more recent regulatory burdens that particularly impact provider workload, we revived this important topic in a recent #KareoChat (join the chat every first and third Thursday of the month at 10 a.m. PST/12 p.m. EST). Healthcare professionals and industry experts gathered together with host, Dr. Kim Yu @drkkyu, family physician and Director of Vituity Health to discuss physician wellness and resiliency. They offered ways to help physicians reduce their chances of burnout or find ways to help if they feel they’ve gotten there.

This chat was packed full of great discussion and suggestions to help those on the front lines of healthcare take care of themselves so they can continue to provide great care for all.

Topic 1: What Contributes to Physician Burnout?

Physician burnout has several contributing factors as the participants pointed out. However, frustration with short patient visits and EHR’s were discussed quite a bit.

Topic 2: How Are You Seeing Physician Burnout Impact Patient Care?

We live in a time where we’re all trying to be the best we can be all the time. Though we all want to be the best healthcare professionals possible, by not taking time to care for ourselves, it impacts the patients.

Topic 3: Do You Believe Physician Wellness Is the Responsibility of Physicians or Employers/Organizations or Both?

A great question with lots of feedback from the participants. Many expressed that both physicians and employers must do their part in keeping physicians healthy.

There was a lot of discussion about the fact that an organization must first acknowledge problems exist and have advocates assist in developing plans to ensure the physician point of view is included.  

Topic 4: How Can Practices Address Physician Wellness and Resiliency?

Bonus Topic: What Role Can Social Media Play in Improving Physician Wellness and Resiliency?

Social media can play a big role in connecting physicians to each other for support from fellow colleagues.

Physician wellness and resiliency is an important topic for everyone. We need our healthcare professionals feeling their best so they can provide care when we need them the most. Thanks to our participants for sharing some the great ideas on ways to help physicians take care of themselves. Dr. Kim Yu (@drkkyu) did an amazing job hosting the chat!

And as always, join us every first and third Thursday at 10 a.m. Pacific time @GoKareo #KareoChat to talk about critical topics facing independent practices and the patients they serve.

About the Author

Malinee is passionate about building an online community for independent practices and health IT professionals.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter!

Enter your email address to receive "Go Practice" as an email newsletter.

Kareo and PatientPop are now Tebra

The digital backbone for your practice success.

The combined power of Kareo and PatientPop

As leaders in clinical, financial, and practice growth technology, Kareo and PatientPop have joined forces as Tebra to support the connected practice of the future and modernize every step of the patient journey. Learn more