Physician burnout is a well-documented phenomenon. Many doctors feel over-worked, under-appreciated, and without the financial compensation they think that they deserve.
In general, the prevalence of mental illness is increased amongst physicians and both depressive and anxiety disorders are common due to the stress of work. Physicians are also at risk of turning to substance abuse as a maladaptive means of coping with burnout.
An old colleague, Duane, recently sent me the results of a survey that interviewed more than 15,000 American physicians in regards to burnout and depression.
"See how awful the field we picked is? We don't get paid enough, we work too hard, and no one even appreciates us! Terrible."
I decided I'd read the study before responding but the facts on his side were clear. Of these 15,543 physicians who were interviewed for the study, 42% reported feeling burned out and 15% noted depression. At the top of the list for causes of burnout were the long work days, excessive paperwork, and the perceived lack of respect from colleagues and patients alike. Other things like lack of financial compensation, government regulations, and "feeling like just a cog in the wheel" were noted as well.
But the more I read the study, the more I realized that my colleagues from the survey were missing the point. Sure I am a psychiatrist and therefore less likely to experience burnout as opposed to – according to the study – a cardiologist, but this really wasn't the main reason that I feel different about my work.
What other profession is there where you can be God's direct messenger for bringing healing to the world? Every single day I am inspired by my role to help my patients stay healthy in order to spend more time with their loved ones. Sure, I don't get paid as much as my friends in the medical laser business, but thank God I'm not starving and I can afford to put gas in the car.
Yes, the paperwork is pretty gruesome sometimes, but that's the same in every profession.
And what's this narishkeit (Yiddish for ridiculousness) about being under appreciated? As one of a handful of Torah-observant and English-speaking psychiatrists in Israel, I get phone calls from rabbis, celebrities, and downright good people every day thanking me for my help. Even before I came to Israel and was just another humble psychiatrist in Boston, I used to get dozens of home-baked goods from my grateful patients that I'd share with the nursing staff who were equally thankful.
So here’s what I emailed Duane in response:
"Duane, it's great to hear from you. I'm sorry that you are feeling burnt out with your work. But remember that we are perhaps in the only field that allows us to have the trifecta of intellectually-stimulating work, the ability to improve the lives of others, and – in spite of your complaining – a more-than-sufficient salary. Don't tell me that you'd be happier as a business guy because they are also under-appreciated and a dime-a-dozen. You need to remember how lucky we are to have been tasked with the Holy responsibility of healing our patients. If you can keep that in mind then you'll be able to return to being part of the 58% of us who aren't burned out and the 85% of us who aren't depressed."
After I sent the email, I thought for a moment about Duane and whether he might have an additional point. Hadn't I also experience moments of feeling over-worked and under-appreciated? Perhaps the difference was that I had surrounded myself by amazing people to keep me motivated and to remind me what I'm out there doing every day: a loving wife, great kids, exceptional rabbis, and fantastic parents.
Me and my dad
The best doctor I know also happens to be my dad. While he never pushed me towards medicine, I was constantly impressed by the tremendous responsibility he took to know and care for each and every one of his patients. Beyond his family, my father's most treasured possessions are certainly the hand-carved wooden sculptures he received as a token of appreciation from his favorite patient. There is no more powerful gift than honest gratitude. My father still appreciates this as the true blessing of being a physician.
Maimonides – the famous Jewish physician and Torah scholar who lived close to 1000 years ago – also embodied this practice. At my medical school graduation, all 108 of us stood for the reading of his oath which describes the holy responsibility of physicians to care for their patients.
But what most of my fellow students didn't know is that there is also a prayer that Maimonides wrote before he would diagnose and treat his patients. While every word is a beautiful and soulful expression of admiration for our Creator, I sometimes skip to the end where I find tremendous strength in these words:
"Almighty God! You have chosen me in your mercy to watch over the life and death of your creatures. I now apply myself to my profession. Support me in this great task that it may benefit mankind, for without your help not even the least thing will succeed."
This piece is dedicated in honor of my dad
(10) Nancy, February 5, 2018 12:48 PM
Insurance companies and their gatekeepers
I am not a doctor. However, I can see how a doctor would become VERY frustrated when a patient's insurance company refuses to pay for a particular procedure. I don't have a definitive answer, but I wish we could just leave the practice of medicine to the doctors, NOT the insurance companies!
(9) Richard R, February 2, 2018 5:25 PM
In the US, it is far more complicted!
I retired from solo practice over 3 years ago. My office was a slice of heaven. In the US, especially in NY, money and bureaucracy are the main building blocks of medicine. Medicine, to too great a degree is mostly about the money. A pathway for the insurance, hospital, legal and drug industries, and their lobbyists in Washington. The government is a double edged sword. This comment column is too limited to get into details but a noble profession as so many in the US, has been seriously compromised and dealing with it, especially for us idealists, has become increasingly difficult.
(8) Ben (of Ben's Tallit Shop), February 1, 2018 9:57 PM
Doctors and data entry
When I was a kid (several decades ago) I didn't like to be poked and prodded by the doctor. Today, when you go in for a visit, it seems doctors spend two minutes poking and prodding, and then ten minutes pecking at their keyboard. (Actually not pecking, because most have become very proficient typists by necessity."
But when they went into medicine, I imagine most of them weren't expecting to spend so much of their day looking at a computer screen instead of at their patients. This drudgery seems to apply to high-level specialists as well. My guess is that this is a significant contributing factor to burnout.
(7) Anonymous, February 1, 2018 7:18 PM
Um I hear you but I beg you to take pause and acknowledge that physician burnout is real and is bad. Physicians commit suicide at rates higher than the national average. Physicians work long, long hours and especially female physicians still have a hard time finding family friendly environments. As a female physician I too take strength in Maimonides prayer yet beg you not to trivialize a very real problem. I look forward to a more thoughtful article from you in the future.
(6) Anonymous, February 1, 2018 6:36 PM
Disagree with premise
The main reason why many doctors are burnt out is because of the constant stress that comes from worrying about patients suing doctors for any and all reasons. Psych has far fewer issues as compared to surgical fields. Respectfully, I think you need to see things from the viewpoints of doctors whose hours are far worse than yours, with greater potential for complications, and who are under more pressure regarding malpractice suits. I could give you many cases of frivolous lawsuits that would curl your hair. Then you would have a greater appreciation of burnout amongst doctors.
(5) John Diaro, February 1, 2018 5:12 PM
I appreciated this cognitive reframing of an important issue, but it should be understood: Mayo Clinic data indicate that rates of physician burnout in the USA are increasing, and that physician burnout is uniquely high among a number of professions surveyed. The dehumanizing impact of excessive data-driven management on medical care providers should not be minimized.
(4) Robert Perlmuter MD, February 1, 2018 2:46 PM
Interesting
This morning while perusing AISH.com I thought it was very interesting to see an intersection of my religion and my profession. In internal medicine we are bombarded with tasks that appear to simply be busy work and take time away from our focus on patients. Insurance companies and government mandate what feels to be busy work that we must complete in addition to taking care of our patients. I will try to keep in mind your sage advice to keep things in perspective. Thank you for the article.
(3) Alan S., January 30, 2018 12:42 AM
There is a difference between 'burnout' and 'dissatisfaction'.
I am not so sure that 'Duane' was truly talking about 'burnout'. I think Duane's issue was more of dissatisfaction with his chosen career. My idea of "burnout" is more along the line of no longer having enjoyment or appreciation of one's chosen profession. When a 'calling' turns into 'just another job' because of a variety of causes or circumstances, you are describing unhappiness with the work, not 'burnout'. Everyone is subject to burnout if and when they no longer enjoy what they are doing. Once the 'fun' or 'happiness' of ones work goes missing -- sure, maybe it is do to excess paperwork, long hours, feelings of being unappreciated or underpaid, crazy schedules -- whatever the cause, one 'burns' out. Much like a lack of oxygen causes a candle to lose its flame, so too a lack of enjoyment can cause a person to lose their interest in a career.
(2) Steve, January 29, 2018 10:42 AM
Thank you
Inspiring...end of story!
(1) Anonymous, January 28, 2018 12:49 PM
Maimonides also experienced burnout
Actually, according to Simon Schama, Maimonides also experienced burn out. After Maimonides' brother, David, a merchant, died on a dangerous business journey, Maimonides experienced a physical and mental collapse. Per Schama, "Now the main breadwinner of the extended family was gone, and Moses would himself have to provide for his widow and children. But the loss of the person he loved most in the world brought on a kind of traumatic paralysis that left him ‘prostrate and in bed’ for over a year with severe inflammation, fever and mental confusion. This was the malady which Egypt’s greatest doctor could not cure." Maimonides was able to accomplish a prodigious amount of work as a physician and a rabbi as long as he had strong family support for a healthy lifestyle. When his brother managed the family affairs, Maimonides was able to eat a nutritious Mediterranean diet, get exercise by walking to work and to shul, and connect with family, friends, and his Creator on the Sabbath. When Maimonides lost his support system, he could no longer maintain the heavy workload of a physician. Spirituality is important in preventing physician burnout, but so is attention to diet, exercise, and social connections.