FIND HELP WHEN NEEDED
Postponing needed mental health care can have negative
consequences; in fact, studies show that suppressing anxious
thoughts can make them worse.
Anxiety is highly treatable with cognitive behavioral
therapy. At the organizational level, medical practices can
take steps to alleviate stress and burnout among physicians
and staff. n
The American Medical Association offers online education
on addressing burnout at edhub.ama-assn.org.
BY CARI WADE GERVIN
THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
is now in its third year, and
perhaps no one has been
under more strain than
medical professionals.
1
/
2
Physicians are less
likely to seek mental
health treatment
than the general
population, with 64%
saying they will not
seek help for burnout
and 40% reluctant
to get treatment
for any mental
health condition.
13
%
One study from
mid-2021 showed half
of healthcare workers
were experiencing
burnout. After yet
another winter surge,
that number is surely
higher. While not
everyone who feels
burned out has anxiety,
many do.
Just 13% of physicians
say they have sought
mental health
treatment during
the pandemic.
According to the
Association of American
Medical Colleges,
many physicians avoid
seeking mental health
care because of these
three concerns:
+ Fear of losing
their license
+ Higher malpractice
insurance rates
+ Stigma at work
Aware
3
Anxiety
64
%
IF YOU'RE SUFFERING FROM
BURNOUT AND ANXIE T Y
AF TER T WO YE ARS
OF THE PANDEMIC,
YOU'RE NOT ALONE.
2 2
SPECIAL
CLINICAL
SECTION:
BEHAVIORAL
HEALTH
