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What are ObGyns’ greatest practice concerns?
The Medicus Firm reported in its 2016 Physician Practice Preference and Relocation Survey that the top 3 major practice concerns for practicing physicians were compensation, work-life balance, and work-related burnout and stress.12 They found that physicians in general were slightly more satisfied with their 2015 income than their 2014 income, but less optimistic about the future. Only 29% projected that their 2016 income would increase over their 2015 earnings.
With ObGyn salaries on the up in 2015, less than half (46%) of ObGyns reported to Medscape that they feel fairly compensated; these physicians made $62,000 more than those who believed their pay was unfair.1 Fifty-four percent of employed male ObGyns and 64% of employed female ObGyns reported feeling fairly compensated, compared with 43% and 32%, respectively, who were self-employed.
ObGyns indicated in the 2016 Medscape report that the prime causes of stress were bureaucratic tasks and spending too many hours at work. More than half (52%) of ObGyns spend 30 to 45 hours per week seeing patients, and 40% spend more time than that.1 According to employment status, 56% of those who are self-employed and 58% of those who are employed spend 10 hours or more per week on administrative tasks.1
Lucia DiVenere, MA, Officer, Government and Political Affairs, at the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) in Washington, DC, offers a brief look, with an in-depth focus to come in an upcoming issue, at the growing concern of burnout among physicians and how it can affect both ObGyns and their patients. She outlines ACOG’s efforts to help ObGyns maintain work-life balance in “ObGyn burnout: ACOG takes aim.”
ObGyn burnout: ACOG takes aim
Lucia DiVenere, MA
The good news: More women have access to coverage for health care than ever before--better insurance coverage for pregnancy, contraceptives, and well-woman care.
The bad news: America faces a shortage of ObGyns to provide that care, a shortage not likely to go away soon.
One of the imperatives of this dynamic is that we need to help every practicing ObGyn perform at his or her very best: your highest level of quality care, your best productivity, and your best ability to survive and thrive in an always changing and often challenging work environment.
This imperative is undermined when ObGyns are so stressed, overworked, overworried, and undersupported that you experience the very real effects of physician burnout.
Studies show that:
- ObGyns experience high rates of burnout
- rates of burnout are increasing over time
- women, the majority gender in obstetrics and gynecology, experience higher rates of burnout than their male counterparts.
Between 2011 and 2014, rates of physician burnout increased from 45.5% to 54.4%.1 Fifty-one percent of ObGyns reported experiencing burnout in 2015, with women reporting 55% compared to 46% for men.2
This insert is a quick look at this important issue, which can seriously erode an ObGyn's ability to provide high-quality care and continue enjoying practice. It can take a real toll on your personal health and well-being, too. In an upcoming issue of OBG Management, I will take a deeper dive, previewing the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and American Medical Association resources to help you avoid burnout, plus highlighting ObGyns who provide insight and inspiration. I also will interview ACOG President Tom Gellhaus, MD, who is dedicating his presidency to providing you with opportunities to experience new and meaningful aspects of the ObGyn specialty. I will discuss ACOG's programs to help you combat burnout, as well as how you can:
- help underserved women around the globe through medical missions
- bring your leadership and passion for women's health to your state and national capitals
- explore your artistic side.
ObGyn burnout amounts to a public health challenge in women's health care. ACOG takes your well-being seriously, so that you can continue to ensure the well-being of women.
Lucia DiVenere, MA, is Officer, Government and Political Affairs, at the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in Washington, DC.
Ms. DiVenere reports no financial relationships relevant to this article. .
References
- Shanafelt TD, Hasan O, Dyrbye LN, et al. Changes in burnout and satisfaction with work-life balance in physicians and the general US working population between 2011 and 2014. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2015;90(12):1600-1613.
- Peckham C. Medscape Lifestyle Report 2016: Bias and Burnout. Medscape website. http://www.medscape.com/features/slideshow/lifestyle/2016/public/overview. Published January 13, 2016. Accessed June 14, 2016.
Effects of the ACA on ObGyns
As of February 2016, 12.7 million Americans selected plans through the Health Insurance Marketplace of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).1 Physicians often have no choice in whether or not they participate in Health Insurance Exchanges; however, in 2016, 24% of ObGyns said they plan to participate in exchanges, 25% do not, and the rest are unsure.1
