The Importance of Happy Doctors: Combating Burnout with the Help of Medical Scribes
Picture this: a doctor rushing from one patient to the next, constantly bombarded with paperwork, electronic health records, and the endless cycle of digital documentation. Now, add in the unprecedented stresses of a global pandemic, and it’s no wonder that burnout in doctors has become an alarming issue. At a time when healthcare providers are needed more than ever, it’s crucial to ensure they have the support they need to provide the best care possible to their patients. In this blog, we’ll explore
how a Medical Scribe company can help doctors achieve a better work-life balance, alleviate the stressors contributing to burnout, and ultimately create a happier, more productive workforce.
The Problem of Burnout in Doctors
Doctors are at a high risk of burnout due to the high-stress nature of their work. Long working hours, an increased workload, and the increasing demands of patient care can result in emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a reduced sense of personal accomplishment. According to the recent “Medscape Physician Lifestyle & Happiness Report 2022,” approximately 41% of physicians from various specialties reported being unhappy in their work. The stressors contributing to this unhappiness are various, including long work hours, administrative tasks, and the burden of electronic health records.
Most physicians spend up to 10 hours online for work, and the number of physicians spending 21 or more hours online for professional use has increased significantly in recent years. This increased stress on physicians is causing them to struggle to achieve a work-life balance, affecting their work productivity and satisfaction.
Additionally, various stressors are causing this statistic to worsen over the years, all of them contributing to poor work-life balance. For example, a large majority of physicians are online for up to 10 hours per week for work, and the number of physicians spending 21 or more hours online for professional use increased from 2% in 2021 to 15% this year.
The Role of Medical Scribes in Combating Burnout
Medical scribes are trained professionals who assist doctors with electronic health records, freeing time for doctors to focus on patient care. They document the patient encounter, update the electronic health record, and communicate with other healthcare team members. By alleviating the administrative burden on doctors, medical scribes can reduce stress and allow doctors to focus on providing quality patient care. This, in turn, can lead to higher job satisfaction, reduced burnout, and, ultimately, better patient outcomes.
The Benefits of Happy Doctors
Research has shown that happy workers are 13% more productive than unhappy workers. This holds for doctors as well. When physicians are happy at work, they are more efficient and effective. They are more likely to communicate well with their colleagues, leading to better teamwork and patient outcomes. Additionally, happy doctors are more likely to take care of their physical and mental health, leading to a better work-life balance.
How Medical Scribes Can Help
Medical scribes can be the solution to the increasing burden of administrative tasks and electronic health records on physicians. By partnering with a medical scribe company, healthcare organizations can bring in happy, highly trained, and motivated individuals who can remove the electronic health record burden on doctors. Medical scribes work closely with physicians, documenting patient information, updating medical records, and assisting in patient care. This assistance can alleviate the workload and stress on physicians, allowing them to focus on providing quality patient care.
As one happy scribe noted, “I’ve been working for Scrivas for more than a year. Working as a scribe has been completely rewarding and totally worth it. I love every second of it. I will always thank this company for a year of what can be described as the best experience of my life. All the opportunities given solidified the passion I held and confirmed what I want to do for the rest of my life. I recommended Scrivas Scribes 100%.”
– Omar Merinos, Emergency Department Scribe
Conclusion
In conclusion, burnout in doctors is a growing problem that affects both the doctors and the patients they care for. Medical scribes can help combat this issue by reducing administrative burdens on doctors and allowing them to focus on patient care. Happy doctors are more efficient and effective and provide better patient outcomes. The partnership between medical scribes and doctors is essential to achieving these goals, ensuring that doctors can enjoy a more satisfying and balanced career.
