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Sylvie M. Baggett; Keith L. Martin | February 18, 2022 | Contributor Information
The lingering effects of a global pandemic continue to take a toll on the nation's physicians, and allergists are no exception.
In this year's report, Medscape explores physicians' happiness with their personal lives and their professional work, how their marriages and personal relationships are faring, as well as how they are maintaining their physical and mental health. More than 13,000 physicians across 29 specialties responded to the survey.
(Note: Some totals in this presentation do not equal 100% due to rounding.)
Sylvie M. Baggett; Keith L. Martin | February 18, 2022 | Contributor Information
Seventy-seven percent of allergists said they were "very" or "somewhat" happy outside of work prior to the global pandemic, similar to physicians overall (81%).
Sylvie M. Baggett; Keith L. Martin | February 18, 2022 | Contributor Information
The stress and strain of the pandemic continues to affect physicians of various specialties. The percentage of allergists who say they are currently "very" or "somewhat" happy outside of work is similar to that of physicians overall (59%).
Sylvie M. Baggett; Keith L. Martin | February 18, 2022 | Contributor Information
Allergists were in the middle range of burned-out physicians in our survey. In last year's report, 42% of physicians reported that they are burned out; that's risen to 47% this year.
Sylvie M. Baggett; Keith L. Martin | February 18, 2022 | Contributor Information
The volume of bureaucratic tasks is the main contributor to allergist burnout, similar to that for physicians overall (60%). Increasing use of EHRs and other data technology, too little pay, and lack of respect from colleagues were also selected as major factors in this year's report. (Participants could choose more than one response.)
Sylvie M. Baggett; Keith L. Martin | February 18, 2022 | Contributor Information
Fifty-four percent of allergists reported that they were more burned out now than during the initial months of the pandemic, about the same as physicians overall (55%). Around 4 in 10 said their burnout was the same.
Sylvie M. Baggett; Keith L. Martin | February 18, 2022 | Contributor Information
Among their top strategies to quell burnout, allergists reduced their hours at work and took advantage of meditation or other stress-reduction methods. Physicians overall also employed these among their top strategies. (Participants could choose more than one response.)
Sylvie M. Baggett; Keith L. Martin | February 18, 2022 | Contributor Information
The vast majority of allergists are currently in a committed relationship, with 93% either married or living with a partner. A lower percentage (83%) of physicians overall report being in such a relationship.
Sylvie M. Baggett; Keith L. Martin | February 18, 2022 | Contributor Information
Otolaryngologists and allergists topped the list of specialists when it comes to marital happiness (both 91%), followed closely by dermatologists, rheumatologists, and nephrologists (all 90%).
Most physicians, no matter the specialty, appear to be in happy marriages.
Sylvie M. Baggett; Keith L. Martin | February 18, 2022 | Contributor Information
Nearly 6 in 10 allergists are married to or partners with someone who does not work in medicine. This is similar to the proportion among all physicians (56%).
Sylvie M. Baggett; Keith L. Martin | February 18, 2022 | Contributor Information
Close to half of allergists said they are willing to take a cut in pay for better work-life balance or more free time. This is a somewhat smaller proportion than among physicians overall (55%).
Sylvie M. Baggett; Keith L. Martin | February 18, 2022 | Contributor Information
Allergists are choosing to spend their time exercising and doing the things they enjoy as main drivers to maintain their well-being. Physicians overall are somewhat more likely to spend their time with their loved ones (68%) as a means to happiness. (Participants could choose more than one response.)
Alexis Polles, MD, medical director for the Professionals Resource Network, which assists impaired physicians, says that when doctors' lives get unbalanced, they need to find things that restore energy and joy.
Sylvie M. Baggett; Keith L. Martin | February 18, 2022 | Contributor Information
Perhaps it's not surprising that more physicians were happier with their work-life balance before the pandemic. Among allergists, that was also the case.
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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.
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Contributor Information
Sylvie M. Baggett
Lifestyle Editor
Medscape Medical Lifestyle
Keith L. Martin
Editorial Director
Medscape Business of Medicine
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