Burnout Among Physicians Treating Patients with Multiple Sclerosis in the United States: A Podcast

Physician burnout, a growing crisis in the healthcare system of the United States of America (USA), is characterized by long-term job-related stress that manifests as energy depletion, feelings of increased mental distance from or cynicism toward one's job, and reduced professional efficacy. Notably, neurologists rank among those with the highest rates of burnout and the lowest levels of satisfaction with work-life balance. However, data on burnout among physicians treating patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) remain limited. In this podcast, we discuss the findings of a USA-based quantitative survey involving 136 physicians who treat patients with MS (defined as having prescribed ≥ 3 MS disease-modifying therapies over a 12-month period). The survey investigated the prevalence of burnout within this population and its associated risk factors. It included 20 questions, including the Mini Z inventory v3.0, demographic data, professional information, and details about work environment and job support. The results revealed a significant prevalence (approximately 50%) of burnout and job-related stress. Key contributors to job stress included the burden of maintaining electronic medical records and long working hours. Despite high levels of work satisfaction reported by participants, it is concerning that nearly 50% of these physicians had considered switching their field due to burnout or related issues. We also explore the impact of burnout on patient care and management, offering recommendations to address these challenges.