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Physician Burnout, Well-being, and Work Unit Safety Grades in Relationship to Reported Medical Errors

Daniel S Tawfik1, Jochen Profit2, Timothy I Morgenthaler3

  • 1Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA; Department of Health Research and Policy, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA.

Mayo Clinic Proceedings
|July 14, 2018
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Physician burnout and fatigue are linked to major medical errors. Improving physician well-being and work unit safety is crucial for reducing medical errors.

Area of Science:

  • Medical research
  • Physician well-being
  • Patient safety

Background:

  • Physician burnout and fatigue are prevalent issues in healthcare.
  • The relationship between physician well-being and patient safety outcomes requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the association between physician burnout, well-being, and work unit safety grades with perceived major medical errors.
  • To identify factors contributing to medical errors in clinical practice.

Main Methods:

  • A population-based survey of US physicians was conducted.
  • Data on burnout, fatigue, suicidal ideation, work unit safety, and medical errors were collected.
  • Multivariate logistic regression and mixed-effects hierarchical models were used for analysis.

Main Results:

  • Physicians reporting major medical errors were more likely to experience burnout, fatigue, and suicidal ideation.
  • Burnout (OR, 2.22) and fatigue (OR, 1.38) were independently associated with reporting medical errors.
  • Worse work unit safety grades significantly increased the likelihood of reporting medical errors.

Conclusions:

  • Physician burnout, fatigue, and poor work unit safety are independently associated with major medical errors.
  • Interventions targeting physician well-being and enhancing work unit safety are essential for medical error reduction.

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