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Ob.gyns. are in the middle of the pack when it comes to physician happiness both in and outside the office, according to Medscape’s 2020 Lifestyle, Happiness, and Burnout Report.
About 28% of ob.gyns. reported that they were very happy at work, and 54% said that they were very happy outside of work, according to the Medscape report. Dermatologists were most likely to be happy at work at 41%, and rheumatologists were most likely to be happy outside of work at 60%.
The rate of burnout was higher in ob.gyns. than in physicians overall at 46% versus 41%; notably, 19% of all ob.gyns. reported being both burned out and depressed. The most commonly reported reasons for burnout were too many bureaucratic tasks (57%), increased time devoted to EHRs (36%), and insufficient compensation/reimbursement (35%).
The most common ways ob.gyns. dealt with burnout was by isolating themselves from others (50%), exercising (49%), and talking with friends/family (44%). About 48% of ob.gyns. took 3-4 weeks of vacation, slightly more than the 44% average for all physicians; 32% took less than 3 weeks’ vacation.
About 15% of ob.gyns. have contemplated suicide, and 1% have attempted suicide; 80% have never contemplated suicide. Only 21% reported that they were currently seeking or planning to seek professional help for symptoms of burnout and/or depression, with 63% saying they would not consider and had not utilized professional help in the past.
The Medscape survey was conducted from June 25 to Sept. 19, 2019, and involved 15,181 physicians.
This report definitely calls attention for improving both individual and organizational wellness. Historically, facing the challenges in medicine is something that we’ve come to expect as students and trainees. This normalized expectation – in addition to limited organizational support and potential lack of guaranteed privacy with regard to mental health concerns – explains the limited motivation to seek help. We knew about the long hours, bureaucracy, and pay inequity when we signed on. The main difference now is the greater emphasis on the value of addressing these issues on a greater scale. 
Physicians who are well can have a greater capacity to be productive. It benefits organizations substantially when they employ physicians who are happy and continue to find meaning in their work.
This issue clearly is not unique to ob.gyns. It’s also hard to miss the irony of advocating for patient wellness without prioritizing our own. There’s a greater discrepancy with regard to burnout and gender because of the “second shift” that women tend to take on at home.
Catherine Cansino, MD, MPH, is associate clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of California, Davis. She is a member of the Ob.Gyn. News editorial advisory board.
This report definitely calls attention for improving both individual and organizational wellness. Historically, facing the challenges in medicine is something that we’ve come to expect as students and trainees. This normalized expectation – in addition to limited organizational support and potential lack of guaranteed privacy with regard to mental health concerns – explains the limited motivation to seek help. We knew about the long hours, bureaucracy, and pay inequity when we signed on. The main difference now is the greater emphasis on the value of addressing these issues on a greater scale.
Physicians who are well can have a greater capacity to be productive. It benefits organizations substantially when they employ physicians who are happy and continue to find meaning in their work.
This issue clearly is not unique to ob.gyns. It’s also hard to miss the irony of advocating for patient wellness without prioritizing our own. There’s a greater discrepancy with regard to burnout and gender because of the “second shift” that women tend to take on at home.
Catherine Cansino, MD, MPH, is associate clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of California, Davis. She is a member of the Ob.Gyn. News editorial advisory board.
This report definitely calls attention for improving both individual and organizational wellness. Historically, facing the challenges in medicine is something that we’ve come to expect as students and trainees. This normalized expectation – in addition to limited organizational support and potential lack of guaranteed privacy with regard to mental health concerns – explains the limited motivation to seek help. We knew about the long hours, bureaucracy, and pay inequity when we signed on. The main difference now is the greater emphasis on the value of addressing these issues on a greater scale.
Physicians who are well can have a greater capacity to be productive. It benefits organizations substantially when they employ physicians who are happy and continue to find meaning in their work.
This issue clearly is not unique to ob.gyns. It’s also hard to miss the irony of advocating for patient wellness without prioritizing our own. There’s a greater discrepancy with regard to burnout and gender because of the “second shift” that women tend to take on at home.
Catherine Cansino, MD, MPH, is associate clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of California, Davis. She is a member of the Ob.Gyn. News editorial advisory board.
Ob.gyns. are in the middle of the pack when it comes to physician happiness both in and outside the office, according to Medscape’s 2020 Lifestyle, Happiness, and Burnout Report.
About 28% of ob.gyns. reported that they were very happy at work, and 54% said that they were very happy outside of work, according to the Medscape report. Dermatologists were most likely to be happy at work at 41%, and rheumatologists were most likely to be happy outside of work at 60%.
The rate of burnout was higher in ob.gyns. than in physicians overall at 46% versus 41%; notably, 19% of all ob.gyns. reported being both burned out and depressed. The most commonly reported reasons for burnout were too many bureaucratic tasks (57%), increased time devoted to EHRs (36%), and insufficient compensation/reimbursement (35%).
The most common ways ob.gyns. dealt with burnout was by isolating themselves from others (50%), exercising (49%), and talking with friends/family (44%). About 48% of ob.gyns. took 3-4 weeks of vacation, slightly more than the 44% average for all physicians; 32% took less than 3 weeks’ vacation.
About 15% of ob.gyns. have contemplated suicide, and 1% have attempted suicide; 80% have never contemplated suicide. Only 21% reported that they were currently seeking or planning to seek professional help for symptoms of burnout and/or depression, with 63% saying they would not consider and had not utilized professional help in the past.
The Medscape survey was conducted from June 25 to Sept. 19, 2019, and involved 15,181 physicians.
Ob.gyns. are in the middle of the pack when it comes to physician happiness both in and outside the office, according to Medscape’s 2020 Lifestyle, Happiness, and Burnout Report.
About 28% of ob.gyns. reported that they were very happy at work, and 54% said that they were very happy outside of work, according to the Medscape report. Dermatologists were most likely to be happy at work at 41%, and rheumatologists were most likely to be happy outside of work at 60%.
The rate of burnout was higher in ob.gyns. than in physicians overall at 46% versus 41%; notably, 19% of all ob.gyns. reported being both burned out and depressed. The most commonly reported reasons for burnout were too many bureaucratic tasks (57%), increased time devoted to EHRs (36%), and insufficient compensation/reimbursement (35%).
The most common ways ob.gyns. dealt with burnout was by isolating themselves from others (50%), exercising (49%), and talking with friends/family (44%). About 48% of ob.gyns. took 3-4 weeks of vacation, slightly more than the 44% average for all physicians; 32% took less than 3 weeks’ vacation.
About 15% of ob.gyns. have contemplated suicide, and 1% have attempted suicide; 80% have never contemplated suicide. Only 21% reported that they were currently seeking or planning to seek professional help for symptoms of burnout and/or depression, with 63% saying they would not consider and had not utilized professional help in the past.
The Medscape survey was conducted from June 25 to Sept. 19, 2019, and involved 15,181 physicians.