Letter re: Burnout, career satisfaction, and well-being among US neurologists in 2016

I read with interest the article on burnout among US neurologists.1 There are 2 additional factors contributing to burnout that the authors fail to address. One is the electronization of medicine. Electronization is a term used to describe the process of taking an item or process from paper-based form and electronically producing it, mainly to increase profitability and efficiency. We now have electronic health records (EHR) available on laptop, iPad, and cell phone. Patients can email physicians through the myconnect portal on the EHR, contact physicians through work email, or, in some instances, text physicians on cell phones. Frequently, these calls and emails are for nonemergency reasons, but since we are always connected, we are obligated to answer. One leaves the office or the hospital, but does not leave work behind. We are always on call. Doctors lost their right and battle to disconnect. Second, the authors mention the importance of implementing physician-friendly national policies that decrease regulatory burden but do not discuss the burden and stress on physicians caused by ever-increasing mandatory continuing medical education requirements and maintenance of certification requirements.
Source: Neurology - Category: Neurology Authors: Tags: WRITECLICK & amp;reg; EDITOR ' S CHOICE Source Type: research