Physician Burnout Linked to Practice Management

Maintaining work-life balance is a constant challenge for many physicians, and the complexities of managing a practice can be particularly daunting and time-intensive. According to a recent survey by the national healthcare search and consulting firm Merritt Hawkins, concerns about personal time and practice management can begin as early as residency.

In fact, 2017 residents in their final year rated the “availability of free time” as their biggest concern as they enter their first professional practice. The nearly 1,000 residents who took part in the email survey also rated personal time as the most important factor in considering a practice opportunity, followed by geographic location.

In keeping with these concerns, the survey also found:

• More than one-third (38%) of residents felt unprepared to handle the business side of medicine.
• About half (49%) said they received no formal instruction during their medical training regarding business issues such as contracts, compensation arrangements, and reimbursement methods.
• More residents (41%) indicated they would rather be employed by a hospital than any practice option.
• Only 1% percent said they would prefer a solo setting as their first practice.

With burnout looming across the industry, physicians in all types of practices need partners that can remove the barriers that keep them from the work they love—taking care of patients. At Curi, our commitment to our members extends well beyond medical malpractice insurance to include just that kind of support. From human resources consulting to cost- and time-effective continuing medical education (CME) courses and more, we provide a comprehensive suite of products and services that simplify practice management, allowing physicians to focus on their patients and personal priorities.