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Medscape Dermatologist Lifestyle Report 2018: Personal Happiness vs Work Burnout
Sarah Grisham | January 24, 2018
| Contributor Information
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Medscape Dermatologist Lifestyle Report 2018: Personal Happiness vs Work Burnout
Sarah Grisham | January 24, 2018 | Contributor Information
Burnout continues to be a pervasive issue among physicians. This part of Medscape's annual Physician Lifestyle Report focuses on their responses to our survey questions about burnout and depression. How prevalent are these factors, and how do they affect physicians' lives? More than 15,000 physicians from 29 specialties responded.
Some totals in this presentation do not equal 100% due to rounding.
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Medscape Dermatologist Lifestyle Report 2018: Personal Happiness vs Work Burnout
Sarah Grisham | January 24, 2018 | Contributor Information
Dermatologists are among physicians most likely to report that they are "very" or "extremely" happy outside of work; 58% of dermatologists described themselves as such. Other specialist groups with high happiness scores include allergists, emergency medicine physicians, and ophthalmologists. Cardiologists, public health physicians, and oncologists are among physicians with the lowest happiness scores.
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Medscape Dermatologist Lifestyle Report 2018: Personal Happiness vs Work Burnout
Sarah Grisham | January 24, 2018 | Contributor Information
While fairly small percentages of all specialist groups described themselves as "very" or "extremely" happy at work, dermatologists (33%) were among the most likely to do so. Other specialist groups that scored high in this area were ophthalmologists, plastic surgeons, and pathologists.
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Medscape Dermatologist Lifestyle Report 2018: Personal Happiness vs Work Burnout
Sarah Grisham | January 24, 2018 | Contributor Information
Forty-six percent of all physicians surveyed said they are either burned out, depressed, or both. At 34%, dermatologists were among the least likely specialists to respond affirmatively. The highest rates were reported by neurologists, intensivists, ob/gyns, and family physicians.
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Medscape Dermatologist Lifestyle Report 2018: Personal Happiness vs Work Burnout
Sarah Grisham | January 24, 2018 | Contributor Information
Male dermatologists reported burnout (32%) at a similar rate to their female peers (31%).
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Medscape Dermatologist Lifestyle Report 2018: Personal Happiness vs Work Burnout
Sarah Grisham | January 24, 2018 | Contributor Information
Survey participants could choose multiple responses to the question of how they personally cope with burnout. More than half (54%) of dermatologist respondents said they exercise, while a somewhat smaller group resorts to sleep (44%). Forty-two percent opt to talk to family or close friends, while the same percentage choose to isolate themselves. And while 26% turn to alcohol, very few (3% or less) use nicotine, marijuana, or prescription drugs.
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Medscape Dermatologist Lifestyle Report 2018: Personal Happiness vs Work Burnout
Sarah Grisham | January 24, 2018 | Contributor Information
Dermatologists who reported burnout could select more than one contributing factor. More than two thirds (67%) pointed to an excess of bureaucratic tasks, and over one third (36%) selected increasing computerization. Twenty-nine percent cited government regulations.
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Medscape Dermatologist Lifestyle Report 2018: Personal Happiness vs Work Burnout
Sarah Grisham | January 24, 2018 | Contributor Information
Dermatologists, at 30%, were among the more likely of all respondents to report that they would seek professional help for burnout, depression, or both. Not surprisingly, psychiatrists were among those most likely to respond affirmatively, along with plastic surgeons, public health physicians, and pediatricians.
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Medscape Dermatologist Lifestyle Report 2018: Personal Happiness vs Work Burnout
Sarah Grisham | January 24, 2018 | Contributor Information
Dermatologists were asked to grade their own introversion or extroversion on a scale of 1 (very introverted) to 7 (very extroverted). A similar percentage identified as introverted (11% responded 1 or 2) or extroverted (12% responded 6 or 7).
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Medscape Dermatologist Lifestyle Report 2018: Personal Happiness vs Work Burnout
Sarah Grisham | January 24, 2018 | Contributor Information
Dermatologists were asked whether their workplace had a program to reduce stress and burnout, and if so, whether they had used it. A scant 11% reported that they had.
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Medscape Dermatologist Lifestyle Report 2018: Personal Happiness vs Work Burnout
Sarah Grisham | January 24, 2018 | Contributor Information
Most dermatologists reported that they are married (73%), and 6% said they live with a partner. Among this specialist group, 18% are single, 2% are divorced and not remarried, and no one was widowed.
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Medscape Dermatologist Lifestyle Report 2018: Personal Happiness vs Work Burnout
Sarah Grisham | January 24, 2018 | Contributor Information
More dermatologists reported that they are married to a person in the healthcare field (53%) than to someone outside the field (47%). Of those 53%, 32% are married to another physician and 21% are married to a non-physician working in healthcare.
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Medscape Dermatologist Lifestyle Report 2018: Personal Happiness vs Work Burnout
Sarah Grisham | January 24, 2018 | Contributor Information
When asked whether they have spiritual or religious beliefs, 64% of dermatologists responded that they do and 31% said they do not. Six percent preferred not to answer this question.
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Medscape Dermatologist Lifestyle Report 2018: Personal Happiness vs Work Burnout
Sarah Grisham | January 24, 2018 | Contributor Information
Almost half (47%) of dermatologists said they have three or fewer close friends, and 37% said they have four to six. A gregarious 17% reported that they have seven or more close friends in their circle.
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Medscape Dermatologist Lifestyle Report 2018: Personal Happiness vs Work Burnout
Sarah Grisham | January 24, 2018 | Contributor Information
Well over half (59%) of dermatologists surveyed take 3 to 4 weeks of vacation each year, and 15% take even more. Just over a quarter (26%), however, take 2 weeks or less.
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Medscape Dermatologist Lifestyle Report 2018: Personal Happiness vs Work Burnout
Sarah Grisham | January 24, 2018 | Contributor Information
Nearly equal percentages of dermatologists said they want to lose weight (39%) or maintain their current weight (40%). Only 19% reported that they are not trying to control their weight, while 1% would like to gain weight.
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Medscape Dermatologist Lifestyle Report 2018: Personal Happiness vs Work Burnout
Sarah Grisham | January 24, 2018 | Contributor Information
The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion[1] recommends 2.5 hours of moderate exercise or an hour and 15 minutes of vigorous activity per week. Thirty-five percent of dermatologists said they exercise two to three times a week, and 46% do so even more often. Just 12% reported that they exercise once a week or less, and only 8% said they don't exercise at all.
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Medscape Dermatologist Lifestyle Report 2018: Personal Happiness vs Work Burnout
Sarah Grisham | January 24, 2018 | Contributor Information
Close to half (46%) of dermatologists reported that they have less than one drink per week or do not drink at all, while 20% said they have five or more drinks each week.
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Medscape Dermatologist Lifestyle Report 2018: Personal Happiness vs Work Burnout
Sarah Grisham | January 24, 2018 | Contributor Information
This year, physicians were asked what kind of car they drive; they could name as many as applied. Toyota, at 21%, was the most popular make among dermatologists. Honda (17%), BMW (11%), and Lexus (10%) were also popular.
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Medscape Dermatologist Lifestyle Report 2018: Personal Happiness vs Work Burnout
Sarah Grisham | January 24, 2018 | Contributor Information
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Medscape Dermatologist Lifestyle Report 2018: Personal Happiness vs Work Burnout
Sarah Grisham | January 24, 2018 | Contributor Information
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Medscape Dermatologist Lifestyle Report 2018: Personal Happiness vs Work Burnout
Sarah Grisham | January 24, 2018 | Contributor Information
More than 19,200 physicians in over 27 specialties responded to this year's Medscape compensation survey and told about their compensation, productivity, challenges, and more.Medscape Features Slideshows, April 2017
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Contributor Information
Sarah Grisham
Freelance writer
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Disclosure: Sarah Grisham has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
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