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For the vast majority of physicians in Pennsylvania and all across the nation, being a doctor or nurse means working long shifts in a high-stress environment. In fact, most medical professionals grow accustomed to working so much and resting so little to the point when they can no longer recognize signs of burnout.

Physician burnout occurs when a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, surgeon, or any other medical professional continues to work long hours under stressful situations for a prolonged period of time.

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    Studies reveal the dangers of physician burnout

    “So what? Working long shifts means treating more patients and saving more lives, so what’s the big deal?” some of you might wonder. Let our Philadelphia physician burnout attorney from The Weitz Firm, LLC, give you a research-based explanation of why overworked doctors should not be allowed to treat patients, because doctor burnout leads to major medical errors.

    • According to a 2018 survey by the Stanford University School of Medicine, 55 percent of physicians across the U.S. admitted to having symptoms of burnout, while 33 percent of others admitted to suffering from high levels of fatigue, and nearly 7 percent said they had suicidal thoughts.
    • A 2018 physician workload survey by Locumstory.com showed that 55 percent of physicians admit that they had considered leaving the field of medicine due to excessive workload and paperwork.
    • The same survey also found that most doctors have a problem with recognizing symptoms of their own burnout, while it’s much easier for them to notice burnout in their colleagues (74 percent said they noticed signs of burnout in other doctors, while only 52 percent admitted to having symptoms of burnout);
    • Interestingly, the same study also found that physicians are more likely to suffer from burnout later in their careers;
    • A separate study by Mayo Clinic Proceedings concluded that the vast majority of all physicians in the U.S. have burnout, while 45 percent report excessive fatigue. The same study also found that approximately 10 percent of burned-out doctors admit to making “at least one major medical error during the prior three months.”

    Consequences of Being Cared For by a Physician With Burnout

    If you were cared for by a burned out physician in the Philadelphia region, it is imperative that you speak with a Philadelphia physician burnout attorney from The Weitz Firm, LLC. Our experienced medical malpractice attorneys know what to look for in these cases and will fight for your right to compensation after suffering an injury.

    The most common issues we see in patients who received care from a physician suffering from burnout include the following:

    • Failure to diagnose a patient
    • Delayed diagnosis of a patient
    • Failure to treat a patient
    • Failure to treat a patient with the correct method
    • Prescription errors
    • Failure to order or order the wrong tests
    • Enter mistakes on the patient’s chart
    • Surgical errors
    • Prematurely discharging a patient from the hospital

    Physicians suffering from burnout are not as focused as they should be when at work. Their judgment is clouded by stress and being tired to the point where they might make mistakes when it comes to caring for their patients. These issues are not intentional but should be prevented at all costs. If you have been injured by a burned-out physician, it’s time to schedule a consultation with an experienced Philadelphia physician burnout attorney about your case.

    What Causes Physician Burnout?

    There are many factors that can cause physician burnout, including the following:

    • Workload
    • The specialty in which the doctor works
    • Staffing
    • Working long hours
    • Frequent call duties (night call or weekend call)
    • Risk of malpractice suits
    • The time spent focusing on work while at home
    • Comprehensive documentation in electronic medical records
    • The methods doctors use to deal with the death of patients
    • A decrease in the doctor’s control over their work environment
    • The loss of the doctor’s autonomy at work
    • Inefficient use of the doctor’s time due to requirements on the administrative side of their job
    • Loss of support for the doctor from their co-workers

    If you or a loved one has been injured by a burned-out physician, it’s important that you speak to a Philadelphia physician burnout attorney as soon as possible. The Weitz Firm, LLC, is here to fight for your right to compensation.

    Physician burnout as a form of medical malpractice

    Researchers warn that the epidemic of physician burnout and overworked doctors across the nation breeds more medical errors than unsafe medical conditions. The sad reality is that most physicians fail to recognize symptoms of burnout such as fatigue, depression, anxiety, difficulties with concentration, and even suicidal thoughts, among other mental and physical symptoms.

    Unfortunately, many of those who do realize that they are suffering from burnout are unable to efficiently combat doctor burnout. That’s because many physicians feel trapped by their current practice and are unable to escape their daily routine. This can take a toll when endured for a prolonged period of time. For some, cutting work hours may do the trick to prevent or combat burnout, while others find it helpful to relocate to another facility or medical practice.

    However, many burned-out and overworked physicians refuse to do anything about their burnout due to their reluctance to work less, because they need to earn a living and provide for their families. However, many of them seem to not realize that doctor burnout can lead to preventable medical errors and negligence, which can eventually result in the loss of medical license.

    Recovering Compensation in a Physician Burnout Case

    Did you or a loved one suffer an injury caused by a burned-out physician? If so, you might have the basis for a medical malpractice case. Once you have a Philadelphia physician burnout attorney review your case, you might be able to seek compensation for the following:

    • Medical expenses
    • Lost wages
    • Future lost wages and benefits
    • Loss of companionship
    • Pain and suffering

    There’s no telling how much money you might be able to recover if a doctor injured you because they are suffering from burnout. You should never ignore the warning signs of an injury or attempt to resolve the issue on your own when an experienced attorney can represent you. Let the Weitz Firm, LLC, fight for your right to compensation today.

    Contact a Philadelphia Physician Burnout Attorney Today

    Our experienced physician burnout attorney in Philadelphia explains that you may be able to sue your doctor or hospital for medical malpractice if you can prove that you were injured in the course of medical treatment or procedure because of an overworked or burned-out doctor.

    Talk to our medical malpractice lawyers at The Weitz Firm, LLC, to discuss your particular case. Call our offices at 267-587-6240 to schedule a free consultation.

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