Tip of the week: Keep an eye out for physician burnout

Physician burnout does not always come kicking and screaming into the workplace. Disruptive behavior is not always a symptom of depression, which can lead to physician burnout. Medical staffs must look for signs of depression such as disengagement with patients.

Keep names of mental health providers on hand. Refer the physician to the PHC, who should follow up regularly to ensure when proper treatment steps must be taken. Handle the entire process gently and with the utmost care and concern.

Catching signs early will help the well-being of the physician and any patients subject to an increased chance of medical errors.

This week’s tip is from A Practical Guide to Managing Disruptive and Impaired Physicians, Second Edition by R. Dean White, DDS, MS and Jonathan H. Burroughs, MD, MBA, FACPE, CMSL.