Doctors face a mid-career grind

Politico July 19, 2024
Daniel Payne, Toni Odejimi, Carmen Paun, Ruth Reader and Erin Schumaker

WORKFORCE

The likelihood of a doctor burning out could depend on how long they’ve practiced medicine, according to a new report from the American Medical Association covering 2023 survey data.

Physicians in mid-career, with between six and 15 years beyond residency and fellowship training under their belts, are at the highest risk, with more than half having at least one symptom of burnout, the AMA found.

Burnout is the feeling of physical or mental collapse caused by overwork or stress.

So it makes sense that doctors with less experience would have lower rates — about 46 percent reported a sign of burnout.

Even so: The lowest rate, 41 percent, was among doctors with the most experience, more than 20 years.

...