We’ve all had hard days at work that have made us feel the stress of our jobs wearing on us. But most people can get over the hump and continue with their job duties without any negative impact. When this burnout occurs in the medical field, though, serious mistakes can be made that leave innocent patients at risk of severe harm.
How common is burnout?
Burnout in the medical profession may be more common than you think. One study conducted in 2018 found that 42% of all physicians reported feeling burned out, and that number increased to 44% in 2019. There are several contributing factors to this burnout, including long hours, a lack of work-life balance, and an increase in the use of electronic medical records.
What are the effects of doctor burnout?
The implications for feelings of burnout are tremendous, too. According to one study, the risk of patients falling victim to adverse medical events doubles when a doctor is burned out. This means that an individual could be seriously injured by a surgical error, a misdiagnosis, a missed diagnosis, or a medication mistake. Any one of these medical errors can leave a patient with lifelong harm that reshapes the way that they live their life. In the worst instances, patients are killed by medical negligence, leaving their families struggling to find a way to pick up the pieces of their life and make ends meet.
How you can find accountability for medical mistakes
Although feelings of burnout are common and even expected in some circumstances, doctors and nurses can’t let their feelings negatively impact the way that they treat their patients. When they do and harm is caused, then a medical malpractice lawsuit is justified. To succeed on one of these claims, a victim has to be able gather relevant evidence that speaks to the applicable elements of the law and craft compelling legal arguments. Only then can accountability be found and compensation recovered.
It can be a challenging process, but you can confidently navigate it. If you could benefit from assistance in doing so, then please consider reaching out to a legal professional you trust.