Harvard recently issued a report and call to action regarding physician burnout, referring to it as “a public health crisis” that urgently demands attention. It defines this widespread condition – which the World Health Organization refers to as an “occupational phenomena” – as one wherein physicians lose satisfaction and a sense of efficacy in their work, and driven by rapid changes in health care and the medical professional environment.
The medical malpractice and personal injury lawyers of Cohen & Riechelson have been protecting the legal rights of patients since 1972. We have worked to gain a reputation for recovering full and fair compensation for injuries resulting from medical or dental malpractice, nursing home abuse as well as defective medical products for our clients in Pennsylvania towns including Levittown, Northeast Philadelphia, Millbrook, Bensalem, Feasterville, and all of Bucks County. You can rely on our extensive experience to seek a successful verdict or settlement in your medical malpractice personal injury claim.
Contact us online today or call our offices in Pennsylvania at (215) 337-4915 or Trenton, New Jersey at (609) 528-2596, for a free and confidential consultation with a member of our knowledgeably skilled legal team.
As healthcare facilities increasingly put profit over patient safety, there is an increased risk of physician burnout due to almost near impossible workloads and scheduling, as well as medical staff shortages. The incidents of medical errors and malpractice suits continue to soar as healthcare facilities put not only the doctors’ health and well-being at risk but also patients’ lives.
In the most tragic of instances, an error or medical prescription mistake can result in death. In these cases, the loved ones of the deceased may have grounds to file a wrongful death lawsuit on his or her behalf. If you have lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, contact The Law Offices of Cohen & Riechelson. Our lawyers are prepared to help you seek justice.
According to an American Medical Association (AMA) article and Medscape survey about burnout and depression, more than 15,000 physicians from 29 specialties were asked about the prevalence of burnout factors and how they affect physicians’ lives. The highest percentages occurred among these medical specialties:
Physicians with the reported the lowest rates of burnout:
Interestingly enough, according to an updox and Medical Economics survey of more than 1,200 medical services providers, more than 92% reported experiencing burnout at some point in their career and 68% said they felt burned out right now.
If you or someone you know has suffered because of errors on the part of your hospital or physician it is recommended that you contact a skilled and experienced medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible.
Although “physician wellness” or “self-care” strategies (i.e., mindfulness or yoga) have been proposed as a response to burnout, approaches such as these are likely to have limited impact since physicians typically do not have time to consistently fit coping strategies such as these into their routine.
A recent Medical Economics article says that the oath to do no harm, though often thought of in reference to patient medical care, should be extended to the medical co-worker relationship as well. It explains how physician burnout increases the likelihood of an overworked ER physician berating a technician or member of the nursing staff, or a surgeon belittling an intern as they are conducting unrelated but priority hospital administrative tasks. Burnout also increases the opportunities to “scapegoat” each other and patients feeling dumped or being juggled between specialists, medical technicians, and their primary care doctor because each lacks the time to deliver the proper type of care.
At The Law Offices of Cohen & Riechelson, our medical malpractice and personal injury attorneys believe the law is a powerful tool that should be used to help give fair compensation to victims who have been injured due to physician burnout and negligence of overworked doctors. We have dedicated the last 40+ years to ensure that our clients recover not only their quality of life but what is rightfully theirs to help make their lives whole again. One of our highly knowledgeable attorneys is prepared to assist you with your accident claim. Contact us online, or by phone anytime at (215) 337-4915 anytime for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Personal injury cases may be won or lost on medical records. They play a crucial… Read More
You signed up for the recreational indoor volleyball league and are excited to exercise and… Read More
When you finally reach and receive a personal injury settlement, you probably feel and think… Read More
Stay Informed About Your Legal Options and Critical Next Steps if You Suffer Injuries in… Read More
Boating accidents are both very similar to, and totally different from, motor vehicle accidents. While… Read More
Everything You Need to Know about the Discovery Process of a Personal Injury Case in… Read More
