About a third of ENTs reported feeling burned out in 2020, according to Medscape's 2021 "Lifestyle, Happiness & Burnout Report 2021" for ENTs. Still, the majority of them reported feeling happy outside of work in 2020.
More than 12,000 physicians across 29 specialties responded to Medscape's survey.
Seven findings for ENTs:
1. Before the pandemic, 85 percent of ENTs reported being somewhat or very happy outside of work. While the majority of ENTs have remained happy since then, the percentage dipped. Seventy percent of ENTs are somewhat or very happy outside of work now.
2. Thirty-three percent of ENTs reported being burned out or both burned out and depressed. That was about the same as last year's report.
3. For 71 percent of ENTs, burnout had at least a moderate effect on their lives. Four percent said burnout made them consider leaving the medical field.
4. Sixty-four percent of ENTs pointed to the mounting number of bureaucratic tasks as a leading contributor to burnout. Other factors included feeling a lack of respect from employers and colleagues (44 percent) and insufficient reimbursement and compensation (43 percent).
5. Sixty percent of ENTs said exercise was their top way of dealing with burnout. Talking with family members and friends (45 percent), sleeping (38 percent) and playing or listening to music (38 percent) were other common coping methods.
6. Forty-four percent of ENTs said work-life balance was the most concerning workplace issue, followed by compensation (22 percent).
7. More than half of ENTs (57 percent) took three to four weeks of vacation, and 10 percent took five or more weeks off.