Characteristics of Physicians Who Report Frustration with Patients
Author Information
Author(s): Erin E. Krebs, Joanne M. Garrett, Thomas R. Konrad
Primary Institution: Center for Implementing Evidence-Based Practice, Richard L. Roudebush Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA
Hypothesis
What physician and practice characteristics are associated with greater physician-reported frustration with patients?
Conclusion
Physicians who report high frustration with patients tend to be younger, work longer hours, and experience higher levels of stress and anxiety.
Supporting Evidence
- Physicians who reported high frustration were younger and worked more hours.
- High frustration was associated with higher levels of stress, depression, and anxiety.
- Physicians in subspecialties reported higher frustration compared to family medicine physicians.
Takeaway
Some doctors find their patients really frustrating, and it turns out younger doctors who work a lot and feel stressed are more likely to feel this way.
Methodology
The study analyzed survey data from a national sample of physicians, focusing on their reported frustration with patients and associated characteristics.
Potential Biases
Physician perceptions of patient difficulty may vary significantly, leading to potential bias in reported frustration levels.
Limitations
The study relies on physician self-reports, which may not accurately reflect the actual difficulty of patient encounters.
Participant Demographics
The mean age of participants was 47 years, with 77% male and 82% white.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p < 0.001
Confidence Interval
95% CI 1.3–3.3
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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