Physician Burnout

A 2019 study found that 79% of primary care physicians are burned out, compared to a 68% average for all physicians surveyed. In the past three years, physician burnout has increased by 9% and satisfaction has decreased by 7.6%.

Pediatrician Dr. Karen Ailsworth discussed the changes she felt as a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) bought her practice and changed the way they operate.

“And over time doctors lose that connection of why they went into medicine and start wanting to do something else because they feel like they’re just wasting their time... I started feeling like, ‘don’t tell me your problems, I don’t have the time. Just make my life easy.’ And that wasn’t the way I wanted to practice.”

In addition to the challenges of a rigorous and demanding career, new healthcare obstacles pose new frustrations for physicians. They are responsible for a large amount of paperwork, deal with unhappiness regarding the loss of professional autonomy, and face a large-scale decline in long-term relationships with patients.

The American Medical Association defines physician burn out as “a stress reaction marked by depersonalization, emotional exhaustion, a feeling of decreased personal achievement and a lack of empathy for patients.” Empathy must be at the forefront of medical care since it allows physicians to earn their patients' trust and effectively care for them as individuals, not just a set of symptoms. Not being able to relate to patients or having a foundation to do so can desensitize physicians, contributing to physician burnout.

Caralyst not only caters to patients' needs, but also accounts for physicians' needs and preferences. By allowing physicians to work with patients they can better understand and relate to, we aim to foster natural and empathetic relationships.