How does burnout affect physician productivity? A systematic literature review

BACKGROUND: Interest in the well-being of physicians has increased because of their contributions to the healthcare system quality. There is growing recognition that physicians are exposed to workplace factors that increase the risk of work stress. Long-term exposure to high work stress can result in burnout. Reports from around the world suggest that about one-third to one-half of physicians experience burnout. Understanding the outcomes associated withburnout is critical to understanding its affects on the healthcare system. Productivity outcomes are among those that could have the most immediate effects on the healthcare system. Thissystematic literature review is one of the first to explore the evidence for the types of physicianproductivity outcomes associated with physician burnout. It answers the question, "How doesburnout affect physician productivity?"