Long hours, higher patient load and increased scrutiny of their work.

Those factors, along with others, have led many physicians into burnout.

According to a recent study by Mayo Clinic, more than 54 percent of physicians in the United States suffer from one form or another of burnout, almost 10 percent more than in 2011.

In a new GHN Commentary, journalist Katja Ridderbusch says physician burnout is “a global trend that describes more than an alarming accumulation of facts, figures and anecdotes, but points to a systemic problem. It is a very real cause of concern for doctors, health care systems around the world and, most importantly, patients.’’

Here is a link to Ridderbusch’s Commentary.

Georgia Health News welcomes Commentary submissions. If you would like to propose a Commentary piece for Georgia Health News, please email Andy Miller, editor of GHN, at amiller@georgiahealthnews.com