Physician Stress and Burnout

Tens (or hundreds) of thousands of Americans die each year as a result of preventable medical errors. Changes in the practice and business of medicine have caused some to question whether burnout among physicians and other healthcare providers may adversely affect patient outcomes. A clear consensus supports the contention that burnout affects patients, albeit with low quality objective data. The psychological and physical impact on physicians and other providers is quite clear however, and the impact on the physician workforce (where large shortages are projected) is yet another cause for concern.