Is Doctor Burnout Responsible for Medical Malpractice?

Every year, thousands of people suffer life-threatening injuries because of medical malpractice.

When you visit a doctor for a routine check up or to discuss your concerns about something possibly more serious, you expect the doctor to give his or her full attention and offer the best possible care. Anyone who consults a doctor for a medical condition trusts the doctor fully with their health and well-being. However, there are cases when a doctor betrays this trust and commits a mistake that is life-threatening.

The Problem of Burnout

While most doctors try their best to comply with the medical standards of care, there are an increasing number of residents, medical students, and even experienced doctors are who struggling with the problem of burnout, and it is the patients who have to bear the consequences of medical negligence.

There is research to prove that many trainee doctors suffer from burnout, a combination of emotional exhaustion, low sense of accomplishment, and detachment. It is understandable given the heavy workloads and lengthy shifts that residents have to cope up with. However, a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine revealed that even veteran doctors can fall prey to burnout and it often has worse implications. This happens because senior doctors work with less supervision compared to residents and students, and burnout can easily lead to medical malpractice and the consequences can be serious and often fatal.

Doctors More Prone to Burnout

In the study that surveyed over 7,000 doctors, it was revealed that almost 50 percent of doctors complained of at least one symptom of burnout. When the results of this research were compared to those of another study involving 3,500 respondents from other professions, it was noted that doctors were more prone to burnout compared to others. The research revealed that doctors who suffer from burnout take less interest in their patients, are less empathetic, and more likely to commit errors. Doctors who were most effected by burnout were those who practice in specialties such as emergency medicine, family medicine, and general medicine.

St. Louis Medical Malpractice Attorney

The healthcare system in the United States is such that doctors not only have to attend to a growing number of patients, but they also have to deal with numerous administrative tasks and conform to rules established by the insurance companies. If you or someone close to you was injured because of an error committed by a doctor, consult with Zevan and Davidson Law Firm at (314) 588-7200.