More than half of all physicians report at least one major symptom of burnout, and anesthesiologists seem to be especially affected, with a rate of burnout higher than the mean rate for all physicians. These statistics prompted the ASA Daily News staff to ask the question:

What do you do to combat physician burnout?

“I’m lucky I work in a really good M.D.-only private practice that allows us a lot of overlap and time off when we need it. Also, I spend time with family, and I live in a really good community. That helps.”

Jessie Jameson, M.D.
Durango, Colorado

“’I’ve never really experienced burnout because I work at a lot of different hospitals on different days. So, I have a lot of variety, and I think that helps. The group I work with is a very good group. It keeps you happy.”

Frank Howell, M.D.
Tampa, Florida

“I quit full-time anesthesiology and am basically retired. I took an academic position because I was working 70 hours a week. I’m 61 and I think a lot of people my age are retiring earlier than they need to because of burnout.”

Mike Ritter, M.D.
Ann Arbor, Michigan

“I try to be helpful to colleagues who may be experiencing burnout, while I connect with patients and work a variety of cases to help myself. Also, I spend a lot of time with my family and have interests outside of anesthesiology, such as financial planning and technology. There are lots of things to do.”

Sunil Rohira, M.D.
San Ramon, California