Presenter: Amber Smith, College of Humanities & Social Sciences, Biology
Faculty Advisor: John Wolfe, College of Humanities & Social Sciences, Humanities and Philosophy
Institution: Dixie State University
Several studies have been published exploring the many different causes of the rise in physician burnout; however, the majority of these studies fail to consider the ramifications on physician well-being caused by the mistreatment of patients. The inherent problems that exist in a healthcare system that prioritizes company profit over patient care contribute to the stress and potential burnout of healthcare providers, while simultaneously endangering patient well-being both physically and financially. Sufficient literature exists to demonstrate the negative effects of a profit-focused healthcare system on patients, including unnecessary surgeries and potential iatrogenic poverty. This paper applies the existing literature surrounding the causes of physician burnout and demonstrates that patient harm resulting from prioritizing profits in turn harms physicians, whose potential burnout could result in medical error and further harm. To avoid such a feedback loop, the healthcare system in the United States needs to re-prioritize patient care, including accessibility and affordability. By providing patients with affordable and adequate care through patient-centered business practices, the emotional toll on healthcare providers can be reduced and the burnout rates among those providers can be diminished.