This commentary discusses the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on the physical, emotional, and mental health on the healthcare workforce and outlines five high-priority actions at the organizational- and national level to protect the health and wellbeing of the healthcare workforce during and after the pandemic.  

Physician burnout can negatively impact not only physician well-being, but patient safety as well. This national survey of general surgery residents found that about one-third of all respondents reported experiencing discrimination or abuse; 38.5% of residents reported weekly burnout systems and 4.5% reported suicidal thoughts within the past year. Residents reporting burnout or suicidal thoughts were more likely to have experienced discrimination, abuse or sexual harassment. Women reported more exposure to mistreatment, which may account for gender differences in rates of burnout and suicidal thoughts.  

… New Engl J Med … Physician burnout remains a critical threat to …

… Journal of graduate medical education … J Grad Med Educ … Resident work hour limits have been a …

This retrospective cohort study found that the leading cause of death among resident physicians is cancer, and the second leading cause of death is suicide. Investigators note that there are fewer deaths overall and from suicide compared to age- and gender-matched general populations. They suggest monitoring and interventions to prevent burnout and provide support for medical trainees.

This review of high-quality studies found evidence for improved resident sleep hygiene and decreased burnout after restriction of duty hours, but no improvement in educational or patient safety outcomes.

… The New England journal of medicine … N Engl J Med … This article summarizes the Accreditation Council for … while allowing more autonomy for senior trainees. … Nasca TJ, Day SH, Amis ES Jr; for ACGME Duty Hours Task Force. N Engl J Med. 2010;363:e3.   …