Gregory Duhon, MD, Addresses Burnout in Healthcare Professionals

Healthcare professionals have some of the most physically- and mentally-demanding jobs in the world. Dr. Gregory Duhon, MD, says this can take a major toll on people over time, resulting in burnout.

This problem only got worse during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, as healthcare professionals were pushed to the max.

According to a 2023 study conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 46% of health workers reported they felt burned out often in 2022, which was a 14% increase from only four years before that. And 44% of these same workers said they would be looking for a new job that year, up 11% from 2018.

Below, Dr. Gregory Duhon, MD, explores the cause of burnout among healthcare professionals and provides evidence-based approaches to prevention and management.

Why Healthcare Professionals Experience Burnout?

Many people’s lives literally lay in the hands of healthcare professionals. This pressure alone can be more than some can take.

Healthcare is a fast-paced, ever-changing and very demanding industry. So, even though there are many rewards for being a healthcare professional, there are some downfalls as well.

The work environment can be stressful and cause a major strain on one’s emotional, psychological and physical wellbeing. Not only does this present a major risk to those who work in healthcare, it does so for the patients they serve as well.

As if the job itself weren’t challenging enough, the shortage of workers adds even more stress and pressure. The Association of American Medical Colleges estimates that this problem is only going to get worse, too, with an estimated shortage of physicians ranging from 54,100 to 139,000 by 2033.

What Can Organizations Do to Address Burnout?

Dr. Duhon says it’s incumbent on healthcare organizations to help their professionals address burnout and even potentially prevent it before it happens.

One way is to commit to the safety and health of all workers, weaving that into the very fabric of their organization.

This could involve reviewing policies — and revising when needed — to ensure professionals are encouraged rather than deterred from seeing help when they need it, whether that be to address their physical, mental or emotional health. Organizations should also provide easy access to mental health care that’s of the highest quality and is confidential.

It’s equally as important to create a work environment that professionals are excited to return to every day. When social connections are strong, and the work community is positive, it helps to combat burnout.

Reduce the Administrative Burdens

A large portion of the day for healthcare professionals is spent on administrative work — whether that be inputting electronic medical records or annotating what they observed during a patient visit. Some studies have found that this can add up to almost four hours of administrative work each day, in addition to the in-office work they do.

Dr. Gregory Duhon suggests that healthcare organizations need to reduce these administrative burdens as much as possible, whether through additional staff or automated technology tools. In doing so, they will be freeing up professionals’ time outside of the office, and allowing them to focus all their time and energy in the office to delivering exceptional healthcare services.

About Dr. Gregory Duhon, MD

Dr. Gregory Duhon, MD, is the driving force behind American Consulting Physicians, a trailblazing telemedicine venture. As an accomplished Internal Medicine Physician and Hospitalist with a profound grasp of ICU, emergency room, and crisis/pandemic management, Dr. Duhon is leveraging his expertise to provide acute and chronic medical care services remotely across 15 states including Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, and more.

His specialization in complex conditions and willingness to extend patient consultations underscore his commitment to elevating healthcare. Beyond his business pursuits, Dr. Duhon’s diverse interests encompass Ironman training, culinary exploration, passion fruit cultivation, and a dedication to advancing accessible and exceptional medical care.