Measuring and Addressing Physician Burnout in Healthcare

In recent years we have noticed that physician burnout is like one of the biggest threats for healthcare stability, its alarming also. They have to do long hours of working, manage heavy documentation, pressure of providing better services and patient satisfaction, many providers are struggling to keep up not just physically, but emotionally and mentally as well. According to the most recent study in the national burnout survey series we got to know that in 2023, 45.2% of physicians reported at least one symptom of, in 2021 it was 62.8%, 38.2% in 2020, 43.9% in 2017, 54.4% in 2014 and 45.5% in 2011. Burnout of physicians in US has improved from 2021 to 2023 and is currently at levels similar to 2017. Despite this, U.S. physicians remain at higher risk for burnout relative to other U.S. workers.

The consequences go beyond individual distress. Burnout can lead to lower patient satisfaction, staff turnover, and decreased practice performance. At MedSole RCM, we work closely with healthcare providers to reduce the pressure caused by administrative and billing work, helping physicians regain focus and energy.

But before we talk solutions, let’s talk about measurement. Because if you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it.

Understanding and Measuring Physician Burnout

Physician burnout not only about feeling tired or stressed out. But it’s a long-term condition that builds up with time due to a disconnect between job demands and available resources. It often includes:

• Emotional exertion: feeling tired and fatigued
• Depersonalization: negative attitude toward patients
• Low personal achievement: feeling ineffective despite hard work

Key Methods to Measure Burnout

1. Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI)

This tool is majorly used to check the three main dimensions of burnout. It gives a detailed view of how exhausted and disengaged a physician feels, and helps track changes over time.

2. Mini Z Survey

A brief 10-question tool that focuses on job satisfaction, work pace, time spent on documentation, and EHR-related stress.

3. Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI)

Breaks burnout into personal, work-related, and patient-related sections, making it easier to identify specific causes.

4. Custom Practice Surveys

Every practice is different, and simple, anonymous surveys can help capture unique stressors and system inefficiencies affecting your physicians.

5. Turnover Rates & Sick Leaves

Increase in absentees or turnover is often a red flag. Practices can easily monitor these indirect metrics to identify burnout trends.
How MedSole RCM Helps Address Physician Burnout

Reducing burnout requires more than wellness workshops, it demands practical relief from the daily grind. One of the leading causes of stress is the administrative load physicians carry. With endless documentation, coding, billing issues, and back-and-forth with payers, many doctors spend more time on paperwork than patient care.

Here’s how MedSole RCM lightens the load:

Billing Relief

We handle your claims submission, denial management, and payment follow-ups so your providers can focus on care—not paperwork.

Credentialing & Enrollment

Credentialing delays and re-submissions take up time and mental space. We handle these tasks efficiently to eliminate distractions from clinical work.

Clear Financial Reporting

We provide timely, readable revenue cycle updates so physicians don’t have to chase financial clarity.

Improved Workflow

By reducing billing issues, claim resubmissions, and AR backlogs, we help your medical office, and it will function more smoothly.

Dedicated Support Team

Our team works with your staff to implement billing strategies that ease the workflow and save time. No more late-night paperwork or claim status checks.

Why This Matters

When physicians are less burdened by administrative work, they:

• Sleep better
• Feel more in control
• Engage more meaningfully with patients
• Experience fewer errors
• Stay longer in their careers

There is no situation that can be solve overnight, so is burnout, but making smart operational changes like partnering with a billing company like MedSole RCM can significantly make you feel relaxed.

Final Thoughts

Physician burnout is not only a word, it’s a growing concern that requires practical solutions. You don’t need to change your entire system to make a difference. You can easily start with what you can control: reduce the overload. Let MedSole RCM support your team by handling the backend work, so your physicians can breathe easier, perform better, and stay longer in the profession they love.

Contact Our Experts to get billing support and make your staff to perform their duties better.