Burnout making doctors prescribe wrong medicines: JAMA Meta-Analysis on 43,000 Doctors
Advertisement
Another worrying finding of the study is that in junior doctors in particular, burnout increases the likelihood of lower professional standards by 3.5 times
It found that burnout in doctors has devastating consequences on the quality of care they deliver, researchers said.
Burnout also doubles the likelihood of lower professional standards, such as not following set guidelines or malpractice, they said.
It may have an impact on dropping patient satisfaction, said Maria Panagioti from the University of Manchester in the UK, who led the study.
The study found that patient satisfaction is three times more likely to be lower when doctors are physically, emotionally and mentally exhausted -- core signs by which experts identify burnout.
It also found that in junior doctors in particular, burnout increases the likelihood of lower professional standards by 3.5 times.
"This meta-analysis provides a snapshot of what happens to patients when their doctors are burnt out," Panagioti said.
"We show conclusively that the provision of safe, high-quality patient care is severely compromised when doctors are physically, emotionally and mentally exhausted," she said.
Researchers noted that this is not the fault of doctors.
It is caused by a combination of factors including high workload, the way teams work together and the absence of measures which improve wellbeing, they said.
"But it is also about a performance culture which in recent years has become more prevalent in the medical profession," said Panagioti.
"Doctors are increasingly being asked to be superhuman when they are not. They need care and attention that anyone would need when under such enormous pressure and that is just not happening," she said.
London: Doctors with burnout are twice as likely to prescribe the wrong medicines and make incorrect diagnoses, a large-scale study has found. The study, published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine, looked at 47 research papers which together analysed the responses of 43,000 doctors.
It found that burnout in doctors has devastating consequences on the quality of care they deliver, researchers said.
Burnout also doubles the likelihood of lower professional standards, such as not following set guidelines or malpractice, they said.
It may have an impact on dropping patient satisfaction, said Maria Panagioti from the University of Manchester in the UK, who led the study.
The study found that patient satisfaction is three times more likely to be lower when doctors are physically, emotionally and mentally exhausted -- core signs by which experts identify burnout.
It also found that in junior doctors in particular, burnout increases the likelihood of lower professional standards by 3.5 times.
"This meta-analysis provides a snapshot of what happens to patients when their doctors are burnt out," Panagioti said.
"We show conclusively that the provision of safe, high-quality patient care is severely compromised when doctors are physically, emotionally and mentally exhausted," she said.
Researchers noted that this is not the fault of doctors.
It is caused by a combination of factors including high workload, the way teams work together and the absence of measures which improve wellbeing, they said.
"But it is also about a performance culture which in recent years has become more prevalent in the medical profession," said Panagioti.
"Doctors are increasingly being asked to be superhuman when they are not. They need care and attention that anyone would need when under such enormous pressure and that is just not happening," she said.
Our comments section is governed by our Comments Policy . By posting comments at Medical Dialogues you automatically agree with our Comments Policy , Terms And Conditions and Privacy Policy .
Disclaimer: This website is primarily for healthcare professionals. The content here does not replace medical advice and should not be used as medical, diagnostic, endorsement, treatment, or prescription advice. Medical science evolves rapidly, and we strive to keep our information current. If you find any discrepancies, please contact us at corrections@medicaldialogues.in. Read our Correction Policy here. Nothing here should be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not endorse any healthcare advice that contradicts a physician's guidance. Use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Advertisement Policy. For more details, read our Full Disclaimer here.
NOTE: Join us in combating medical misinformation. If you encounter a questionable health, medical, or medical education claim, email us at factcheck@medicaldialogues.in for evaluation.