According to the American Medical Association (AMA), three out of four doctors chose their careers before the age of 20, and 61% would make the same choice again if given the chance. Becoming a doctor is a dream for many, and finally getting that white coat is the actualization of a lifelong passion for medicine and helping those in need. This dream, however, has turned into a nightmare for the many doctors that have fallen victim to burnout.

Being a physician has by no means ever been an easy job; in fact, it is one of the most stressful professions out there. There have always been a great many factors contributing to this stress, and all of these factors were recently compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic. That, in addition to increasing regulations and growing demands from patients, has led to many physicians getting so burnt out that they leave the healthcare field altogether.

According to a physician burnout poll conducted by Medscape in 2022, physician burnout increased 5% from 2021 to 2022; 47% of physicians now report burnout. Having nearly half of the respondents reported symptoms of burnout is an extremely alarming statistic and one that warrants immediate action. So many physicians being affected impacts not only their health but also the health of the communities they serve.

Causes of physician burnout

Here are five of the most common causes behind the recent epidemic of physician burnout.

1. Too many administrative tasks

The fact is that most physicians get into this career to serve patients, not to sit behind a desk bogged down by administrative duties. 60% of physicians in the Medscape poll reported that too many bureaucratic tasks, such as charting and paperwork, were the primary reason behind their burnout.

Physicians are spending far too much time performing administrative tasks for their own good. Caring for patients is a stressful enough endeavor and the added responsibility of time-consuming paperwork is clearly too great a burden. A recent study by Mayo Clinic shows that the average physician spends more than half of their workday plus 28 additional nights per month completing administrative tasks.

2. Not enough time with patients

More time spent performing administrative duties means less time interacting with patients. Not only is caring for patients the main objective of any physician, it is also where most of them find the greatest amount of joy in their work.

Another Medscape report found most physicians stating that building relationships with patients were the most rewarding aspect of their profession, followed by finding answers and knowing that they are helping make the world a better place. 55% of the respondents say, however, that their individual time with patients has declined since they started practicing.

3. Too many hours

In the Medscape burnout report, “Too many hours at work” ranked number 3 on the list of factors contributing to burnout. This can be due to a variety of reasons, administrative responsibilities included. A recent report by CompHealth found that over half of the physicians that worked over 60 hours a week reported burnout, increasing to 57% for those that work over 70 hours.

Learn More: Physicians Get Tired Too: How to Get Rid of Physician Burnout

4. Growing patient demand

Patients are changing. More than ever before they want to be involved in their healthcare and the decisions surrounding it, and providers must continue to adapt to these constantly changing needs in order to keep them satisfied.

Convenience is perhaps the thing modern patients value the most, pushing providers to constantly find new ways of meeting this demand.

5. Online Reputation

As social media platforms and the internet, in general, have evolved, online reputation management has become an ever-larger part of running any type of successful business. Customers, which is patients for healthcare providers, place great stock in online reviews, which is another leading cause of stress for providers.

The knowledge that a single bad review or low rating could potentially destroy their practice is not an easy feeling to live with. Especially when providers feel that these reviews and rating do not accurately reflect the standard of care provided at the practice.