Being a physician is a high-stress job. Many physicians report facing significant rates of job-related burnout, causing health issues, job performance issues and stress so great that some choose to leave the profession. Burnout can stem from many working conditions, some of which are in the hands of the employer.
Many physicians report experiencing burnout
According to one survey, 63% of physician respondents stated that during the winter of 2021 to 2022 they felt burnt out. While recent global health events contributed to the high rates of physician burnout, the problem has existed for a long time.
One researcher points out six factors that contribute to physician burnout. Physicians who are overloaded with patients, who do not have much control over their work, who are not rewarded appropriately for their work, who do not have a supportive community or who feel they are treated unfairly in the workplace can experience burnout.
Addressing burnout in the workplace
Physician employees who believe they are being treated unfairly in the workplace or who feel that their high workload is an attempt to drive them out of the workplace will want to learn more about the possibility that they are experiencing discrimination or constructive discharge.
Discrimination based on one of several protected classes such as race or gender is present in many workplaces. Constructive discharge occurs when an employer purposely tries to drive an employee out of the workplace without necessarily firing them.
Employees who believe they are being discriminated against or who are experiencing constructive discharge through high workloads with little support have options, including reporting the wrongful behavior and possibly pursuing a lawsuit.