It’s no secret that doctors work long hours, sometimes without much sleep. This is especially true for those who work in emergency rooms and who perform complex surgeries. At some point, the long hours and stress will result in burnout.
All doctors are bound by the standard of care, which is the minimum that a doctor should do when they’re caring for a patient. A doctor who’s dealing with fatigue and burnout may not be able to care for patients in the proper manner.
Increased medical errors
A doctor who is suffering from burnout may not be able to make the correct diagnoses or formulate a proper treatment plan. There’s also a risk of surgical and prescription errors. These sometimes come from impaired concentration and judgment, but it’s fully preventable if medical centers take precautions to protect doctors from burnout.
Poor communication
Communication is critical in the medical field. Doctors must be emotionally and mentally prepared to speak to patients, their family members and other medical professionals about a patient’s case. Being overly frustrated or suffering from detachment as a result of burnout can make it challenging for this to happen. When a doctor can’t communicate properly, continuity of care is put in jeopardy, which can lead to grave patient harm.
Patients who are harmed as a result of a doctor’s error may opt to pursue a compensation claim. These medical malpractice cases can help to hold the doctor accountable for their actions and help to provide the harmed individual to receive compensation for the financial damages they’ve had because of the issue. Other damages might also be possible, so it’s best to work with someone who can assist with ensuring the claim is handled properly.