Recent studies have found a high rate of burnout among family physicians, especially young physicians, and particularly among women. The research teams at the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) Robert Graham Center led a three-phased study, Sustaining Women in Medicine (SWIM), aimed at understanding the factors contributing to burnout in women family physicians and to learning about interventions that may help curb or eliminate burnout in this population.
A study of ABFM Diplomates found that women were more likely than men to report symptoms of burnout at the beginning and ends of their careers, with the highest rates occurring in those under 40 years of age. The survey of physicians who were three-years out of residency indicate that 44% of the women in the sample met typical criteria for burnout.
Other studies have shown that workplace factors are often associated with burnout. Practicing full scope family medicine appears to be protective, with younger physicians being less likely to report burnout if they have a broader scope of practice. To read more about the study and the results, visit the SWIM webpage.
"“After 10 years in Albuquerque, I was ready to return home to northern California. I missed seeing patients. The part of medicine I’m the strongest at is helping people cope with their illnesses and supporting them in their life,” "
Dr. Wagner
In 2015, Dr. Wagner received an offer to practice preventative medicine for Kaiser Hospital in Vallejo, CA. So, at the age of 72, he happily returned to the front lines of patient care.
“During the last 10 years, I’ve been in the office seeing patients. It’s a world that’s perfect for me,” Dr. Wagner said, “I believe you have to connect with patients to be happy in your practice.”
At the age of 81, Dr. Wagner has embraced a second retirement, spending free time with his wife, Eris, and keeping track of five children and six grandchildren. He still gets asked for medical advice however, as everyone knows his long history with family medicine. “I consult family members, neighbors…everyone who knows me calls if something is going on. I don’t treat anyone, but I still talk to them. That hasn’t stopped,” he said.
“I love family medicine, and my hope is that physicians will keep a personal touch with their patients. It makes a difference,” Dr. Wagner explained. “There are statistics that show patients are often prescribed medicine they don’t take, and I think it’s because they don’t have personal confidence in their physicians. The connections you make can lead to better quality of life for your patients.”
Congratulations to Dr. Wagner on his well-earned retirement, and thank you for your 50+ years of patient care and commitment to the specialty of family medicine.
