Burnout in neurology

In recent years, physician burnout—characterized by symptoms of depersonalization, emotional exhaustion, and low sense of accomplishment—has been measured and is highly prevalent across many fields of medicine. Previous studies have shown that burnout is a major problem among US neurologists, with over 60% reporting symptomatology in at least one of these areas.1 Of considerable concern to our profession, health care delivery systems, and policy makers, is the solid evidence that burnout is associated with adverse patient safety and with physician turnover.2 In response to this mounting evidence, the Association of American Medical Colleges, the National Academy of Medicine, the American Academy of Neurology, and other professional bodies have been developing recommendations and interventions to address potential drivers of burnout. In 2018, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education faculty survey included for the first time questions measuring faculty well-being/burnout.3 While these measures are not yet being used to assess individual programs, proactive leaders are devoting resources toward addressing faculty well-being, in anticipation of possible accountability with respect to training program certification. The message for all is clear: medicine must identify the root causes of burnout, and more importantly, put the joy back in medicine. To ignore burnout now will change the future of how we practice and who chooses a career in medicine.