Physician burnout certainly isn’t a new topic in the medical community. Yet even after years of dealing with the effects and countless studies, it still remains a critical issue. This is especially true for OBGYN practitioners. Studies indicate that burnout rates among obstetricians-gynecologists range from 40% to more than 75%, which falls within the middle to upper one-third of medical specialties.*
There are a number of factors that contribute to burnout in OBGYN. One of the most significant is the high volume of patient care. OBGYN physicians often have large patient loads and are expected to provide round-the-clock care, including emergency call. This can lead to long and irregular work hours, which can be physically and mentally exhausting. In addition, OBGYN physicians often face high levels of time pressure, as they must make quick decisions and provide timely care in a field where every moment counts.
So, what can be done to address physician burnout in OBGYN? One potential solution is to reduce the workload and time pressure on OBGYN physicians. This can be accomplished through a number of different strategies.
Flexible scheduling can be a powerful tool in combating physician burnout. By allowing doctors to have greater control over their work schedules, they can better balance the demands of their profession with the other aspects of their lives. This can help to reduce the stress and exhaustion that can lead to burnout.
There are several ways that flexible scheduling can be implemented in a medical setting. One option is to allow doctors to choose the days and hours that they work, within certain limits. Another option is to allow them to take off regularly scheduled mental health days during each quarter. This can help them to align their schedules with their personal commitments, such as childcare or other family responsibilities.
Offering this type of incentive as a recruitment incentive will also help your practice in attracting quality physicians and demonstrate that physician retention is a top priority.
Of course, not every OBGYN practice has the full-time staff availability to offer flexible scheduling. If this is the case, one alternative could be to utilize a locum tenens physician. Bringing on a locum tenens physician could help alleviate the workload that your physicians are handling and allow them to schedule time off to recharge and reset.
Many practices may be reluctant to use locum tenens physicians due to the fact that they tend to be more expensive than staff physicians. While this is a valid concern, keep in mind that the cost of replacing a physician that has left the practice due to burnout will far outweigh the cost of using a locum physician from time to time.
Aside from offering flexible scheduling and additional planned time away from work, another strategy to help physicians cope with the effects of burnout is to ensure that they feel that they have involvement in practice decisions. Including your doctors in the decision making process will help build a sense of inclusivity and ownership. This is critical for two reasons.
First, they are the primary face of your organization. They are responsible for establishing the rapport between the practice and the patients. They see first-hand the needs of your patients and are able to act as a liaison on the patients’ behalf.
Second, physicians who feel invested in the practice are more likely to stay than those who view their role in the organization as a cog in the wheel. Leveraging their input on decisions increases their sense of value and the likelihood of retention.
It is important to address the issue of burnout in order to improve the well-being of OBGYN physicians and the quality of care they are able to provide. Physician burnout can lead to a number of different issues and can greatly affect patient care. In some instances this can even lead to physicians leaving the organization to find a better work/life balance. The well-being of your organization and your physicians improves lives, temperament and the bottom line.
*Smith RP, Rayburn WF. Burnout in Obstetricians-Gynecologists: Its Prevalence, Identification, Prevention, and Reversal. Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. 2021 Mar;48(1):231-245. doi: 10.1016/j.ogc.2020.11.008. PMID: 33573788.