Document Type

Capstone Experience

Graduation Date

5-2024

Degree Name

Master of Public Health

Department

Health Services Research & Administration

First Committee Member

Wael ElRayes, MBBCh, PhD, MS

Second Committee Member

David Palm, PhD

Third Committee Member

Stephen Peters, MA

Abstract

Physician burnout represents a critical public and clinical health concern in the United States. It compromises patient care and physician safety. Approaches to solve the issue are pervasive, with limited indication of effectiveness. Due to the essential job functions of physicians, the practice of medicine is inherently stressful. However, the introduction of new, more complex stressors, including those exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the increase in chronic healthcare conditions have made burnout an unfortunate staple of physician life, with an estimated prevalence of up to 60%. Burnout involves three factors: emotional stress, depersonalization, and reduced job satisfaction. The consequences of leaving these unchecked are dire, including reduced quality of life for physicians, increased medical errors, decreased quality of patient care and poor patient outcomes. Additionally, physician burnout has impactful financial ramifications on the United States healthcare system, with an estimated $4 billion in productivity losses. In the last decade, numerous efforts have been made to better define and develop interventions to tackle physician burnout within the United States; however, these solutions have had narrow success, making it important that resources and time continue to be devoted to this issue.

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