Does the Hippocratic Oath Promote Burnout?

March 30, 2017

(Medscape) – Burnout among physicians is rampant. One-third to one-half of practicing physicians meet the criteria for burnout, and in a large study conducted by the Mayo Clinic, 53% of medical students showed signs of burnout. In addition, 300 to 400 physicians commit suicide each year, which is higher than the rate in the general population. Suicide rates are related to the high rates of depression seen in physicians, which might be linked to burnout. Too much paperwork, productivity demands, reporting requirements, and the intrusion of business concerns into one’s medical practice can all contribute to burnout. Some physicians contend that the seeds of burnout are sown when they raise their right hands during their white-coat ceremonies and take the Hippocratic Oath, solemnly swearing to put the needs of their patients above all else.