Please confirm that you would like to log out of Medscape.
If you log out, you will be required to enter your username and password the next time you visit.
Log outCancel
Medscape Pediatrician Lifestyle Report 2018: Personal Happiness vs Work Burnout
Sarah Grisham | January 24, 2018
| Contributor Information
Swipe to advance
1 of 25
Scroll
Medscape Pediatrician 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.
2 of 25
Scroll
Medscape Pediatrician Lifestyle Report 2018: Personal Happiness vs Work Burnout
Sarah Grisham | January 24, 2018 | Contributor Information
Pediatricians were in the upper half of physicians Medscape surveyed to report that they are "very" or "extremely" happy outside of work; 52% of pediatricians described themselves as such. Groups with the highest happiness scores this year included allergists, dermatologists, emergency medicine physicians, and ophthalmologists.
3 of 25
Scroll
Medscape Pediatrician Lifestyle Report 2018: Personal Happiness vs Work Burnout
Sarah Grisham | January 24, 2018 | Contributor Information
Fairly small percentages of all groups described themselves as "very" or "extremely" happy at work, and pediatricians (26%) were slightly below the middle among them. Ophthalmologists, plastic surgeons, and pathologists were the happiest physicians at work this year.
4 of 25
Scroll
Medscape Pediatrician 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 44%, pediatricians fell somewhat below the middle among all groups. The highest rates were reported by neurologists, intensivists, ob/gyns, and family physicians.
5 of 25
Scroll
Medscape Pediatrician Lifestyle Report 2018: Personal Happiness vs Work Burnout
Sarah Grisham | January 24, 2018 | Contributor Information
In this year's report, as in prior years', a higher percentage of female pediatricians reported burnout (43%) than did their male peers (37%).
6 of 25
Scroll
Medscape Pediatrician 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 of pediatrician respondents said they talk to family or close friends (54%) or exercise (51%), while 43% resort to sleep. Although 17% turn to alcohol, very few (2% or less) said they use prescription drugs, nicotine, or marijuana.
7 of 25
Scroll
Medscape Pediatrician Lifestyle Report 2018: Personal Happiness vs Work Burnout
Sarah Grisham | January 24, 2018 | Contributor Information
Pediatricians who reported burnout could select more than one contributing factor. More than half (54%) pointed to an excess of bureaucratic tasks, and over one third selected too many hours at work (37%).
8 of 25
Scroll
Medscape Pediatrician Lifestyle Report 2018: Personal Happiness vs Work Burnout
Sarah Grisham | January 24, 2018 | Contributor Information
Pediatricians, at 33%, were among the most likely of all respondents to report that they would seek professional help for burnout, depression, or both. Not surprisingly, psychiatrists were most likely to respond affirmatively, along with plastic surgeons, public health physicians, and pediatricians.
9 of 25
Scroll
Medscape Pediatrician Lifestyle Report 2018: Personal Happiness vs Work Burnout
Sarah Grisham | January 24, 2018 | Contributor Information
Pediatricians were asked to grade their own introversion or extroversion on a scale of 1 (very introverted) to 7 (very extroverted). A slightly higher percentage identified as introverted (16% responded 1 or 2) than extroverted (13% responded 6 or 7).
10 of 25
Scroll
Medscape Pediatrician Lifestyle Report 2018: Personal Happiness vs Work Burnout
Sarah Grisham | January 24, 2018 | Contributor Information
The highest percentages of pediatricians who acknowledged having depression reported that they are more easily exasperated by (49%), less engaged with (48%), or less friendly with (43%) staff and peers as a result. Just 19% responded that their depression has no effect on these relationships.
11 of 25
Scroll
Medscape Pediatrician Lifestyle Report 2018: Personal Happiness vs Work Burnout
Sarah Grisham | January 24, 2018 | Contributor Information
Among pediatricians who reported depression, 44% believe that their depression has no effect on patient care. However, about one third acknowledged that because of their depression, they are more easily exasperated by (33%) or less engaged with (31%) patients. Fifteen percent admitted that their depression leads to errors they wouldn't otherwise make, and 4% said they make errors that could harm patients.
12 of 25
Scroll
Medscape Pediatrician Lifestyle Report 2018: Personal Happiness vs Work Burnout
Sarah Grisham | January 24, 2018 | Contributor Information
Pediatricians were asked whether their workplace had a program to reduce stress and burnout, and if so, whether they had used it. Less than one third (29%) reported that they had.
13 of 25
Scroll
Medscape Pediatrician Lifestyle Report 2018: Personal Happiness vs Work Burnout
Sarah Grisham | January 24, 2018 | Contributor Information
Most pediatricians reported that they are married (75%), and 4% said they live with a partner. Among this physician group, 13% are single, 6% are divorced and not remarried, and 1% are widowed.
14 of 25
Scroll
Medscape Pediatrician Lifestyle Report 2018: Personal Happiness vs Work Burnout
Sarah Grisham | January 24, 2018 | Contributor Information
More pediatricians reported that they are married to a person who works outside of the healthcare field (58%) versus within it (42%). Of that 42%, 22% are married to another physician and 20% are married to a non-physician working in healthcare.
15 of 25
Scroll
Medscape Pediatrician Lifestyle Report 2018: Personal Happiness vs Work Burnout
Sarah Grisham | January 24, 2018 | Contributor Information
When asked whether they have spiritual or religious beliefs, 72% of pediatricians responded that they do and 22% said they do not. Five percent preferred not to answer this question.
16 of 25
Scroll
Medscape Pediatrician Lifestyle Report 2018: Personal Happiness vs Work Burnout
Sarah Grisham | January 24, 2018 | Contributor Information
Almost half (48%) of pediatricians said they have three or fewer close friends, and 37% said they have four to six. A gregarious 15% reported that they have seven or more close friends in their circle.
17 of 25
Scroll
Medscape Pediatrician Lifestyle Report 2018: Personal Happiness vs Work Burnout
Sarah Grisham | January 24, 2018 | Contributor Information
Over half (53%) of pediatricians surveyed take 3 to 4 weeks of vacation each year, while 14% take even more. One third, however, take 2 weeks or less.
18 of 25
Scroll
Medscape Pediatrician Lifestyle Report 2018: Personal Happiness vs Work Burnout
Sarah Grisham | January 24, 2018 | Contributor Information
More than half (51%) of pediatricians said they want to lose weight, and 31% want to maintain their current weight. Only 17% reported that they are not trying to control their weight, while 1% would like to gain weight.
19 of 25
Scroll
Medscape Pediatrician 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. Over one third (36%) of pediatricians said they exercise two to three times a week, while 31% do so even more often. In contrast, 23% reported that they exercise once a week or less, and 10% said they don't exercise at all.
20 of 25
Scroll
Medscape Pediatrician Lifestyle Report 2018: Personal Happiness vs Work Burnout
Sarah Grisham | January 24, 2018 | Contributor Information
More than half (55%) of pediatricians reported that they have less than one drink per week or do not drink at all. Only 12% said they have five or more drinks each week.
21 of 25
Scroll
Medscape Pediatrician 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 22%, was the most popular make among pediatricians. Honda (19%), Subaru (9%), and Lexus and BMW (7% each) were also popular.
22 of 25
Scroll
Medscape Pediatrician Lifestyle Report 2018: Personal Happiness vs Work Burnout
Sarah Grisham | January 24, 2018 | Contributor Information
23 of 25
Scroll
Medscape Pediatrician Lifestyle Report 2018: Personal Happiness vs Work Burnout
Sarah Grisham | January 24, 2018 | Contributor Information
24 of 25
Scroll
Medscape Pediatrician 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
Commenting is limited to medical professionals. To comment please Log-in.
Comments on Medscape are moderated and should be professional in tone and on topic. You must declare any conflicts of interest related to your comments and responses. Please see our Commenting Guide for further information. We reserve the right to remove posts at our sole discretion.
Comments on Medscape are moderated and should be professional in tone and on topic. You must declare any conflicts of interest related to your comments and responses. Please see our Commenting Guide for further information. We reserve the right to remove posts at our sole discretion.
Close
Contributor Information
Sarah Grisham
Freelance writer
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Disclosure: Sarah Grisham has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
Please do not use this form to submit personal or patient medical information or to report adverse drug events. You are encouraged to report adverse drug event information to the FDA.
Comments