A Mayo Clinic study involving seven major medical schools reveals that a majority--just over half--of medical students surveyed suffer from burnout and are likely to give less than optimum patient care as a result. The findings appear in the latest issue of JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association. The study was based on anonymous responses from 4,400 students.
Academic cheating was relatively rare, but approximately 40% of third- and fourth-year students admitted to some form of unprofessional conduct in relation to patient care, such as reporting a physical examination finding as normal when they had not performed the exam. The findings also showed that burned-out medical students were less likely to hold altruistic attitudes about a doctor's role in society.
A Mayo Clinic spokesperson said that as our nation reforms its healthcare system, it is essential that physicians advocate for patients, promote the public health and reduce barriers to equitable healthcare.
This is a most disconcerting study. Honest mistakes that result in medical malpractice are difficult to accept, but intentionally committing malpractice because of burnout is totally unacceptable. Something needs to be fixed and/or addressed. But if you or someone you know has been injured by an honest medical error, you should be compensated for that mistake. Contact Dr. Bruce G. Fagel, an attorney who is also a licensed medical doctor. You can reach him at 800/541-9376 or through his website at www.medicalmalpracticedoctorlawyer.com.
