Even as COVID-19 Pandemic Eases, a Physician Burnout Epidemic Continues

Even as the spread of COVID-19 cases slows, the burnout epidemic among physicians in the United States continues at a worrisome pace, according to a new MGMA Stat poll.

Of the one-third of practices reporting burnout-related physician departures/retirements, some of the top causes of that burnout included:

• Onerous administrative/paperwork burdens
• EHR fatigue
• Fighting with insurance companies over prior authorization and other payer requirements
• Loss of work-life balance, either from higher volumes amid the COVID-19 pandemic or staffing shortages throughout the care team
• Worries about loss of revenue during the pandemic or reimbursement rates not keeping pace with costs of care delivery
• Loss of alignment with the organization’s mission or vision following an acquisition by a competitor hospital or other entity.