Healthcare Mergers and Acquisitions Linked to Physician Burnout

By Jill McKeon

July 08, 2021 – Healthcare providers entering into a merger or acquisition (M&A) are less willing to stay with their businesses and are more likely to experience doctor burnout, according to athenahealth’s 2021 Physician Sentiment Index report.

In a survey of 799 doctors surveyed, more than 50 percent have gone through significant organizational changes in their organizations, including new EHR implementations, employee layoffs and leave of absence, and M&A.

Uncertainty, interruptions in work processes and rapid organizational changes are common side effects of mergers and acquisitions. Only 68 percent of those who experienced an M&A said they would recommend their health organization to friends or family, compared with 85 percent of doctors who had not gone through an M&A.

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In addition, relationships with colleagues took their toll. Doctors who experienced mergers and acquisitions reported that working with colleagues made them feel less positive, less secure and supported, and less inspired to do more than just accomplish in their work.

The pandemic also exacerbated doctor burnout, with 28 percent of doctors on leave and 14 percent experiencing layoffs in their organizations. Doctors from organizations affected by vacation and layoffs reported several times a month of increased burnout and feelings of numbness and isolation.

The new EHR implementation also resulted in considerable burdens for the doctors. Of the 23 percent of respondents who have gone through major technology changes in their organizations, most were frustrated with the training and were less likely to believe that technology will help them provide quality care.

The researchers concluded that a team-based primary care model was more likely to produce positive reports from doctors about collaboration, peer opinions, and overall satisfaction with their organization.

“The Physician Sentiment Index survey reflects the negative impact of industry consolidation, technology changes and layoffs / vacations during the pandemic,” said Jessica Sweeney-Platt, vice president of research and editorial strategy at athenahealth, in a press release.

“This makes it even more remarkable that the bottom line is that doctors continue to advocate first-class patient care. The key to this result is a strong support system, proactive technology training and the ability to work effectively with colleagues. “

Another recent athenahealth survey found that doctors under 65 and doctors who work in state-qualified health centers (FQHCs) reported the highest burnout scores.

Administrative burden and poor usability of the EHR are some of the main factors causing burnout and dissatisfaction among clinicians. Only 29 percent of respondents said their organization was optimized for handling administrative tasks, and most doctors said they worked overtime at home just to catch up on paperwork.

The pandemic has only perpetuated this problem, and as the shortage of doctors increases, providers continue to be few and far between. Recent analysis by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) predicts that there will be between 37,800 and 124,000 doctor shortages in the US by 2034.

Fortunately, some health organizations are taking note of these issues and are developing new methods of assessing burnout and providing support to employees. The American Nurses Foundation recently expanded its mHealth text messaging pilot. The program is designed to help caregivers deal with grief, maintain healthy habits, and reduce burnout. The program will soon be available to nurses in 16 states.