Workloads on the Rise for Pennsylvania Physicians
Operating physicians in Pennsylvania have seen their workloads increase from the equivalent of a five day work week to a six day work week in the past seven years, according to the Pennsylvania Medical Society’s “State of Medicine in Pennsylvania,” 2007 edition.
“Increasing physician workloads are in no one’s best interest. They threaten the physician-patient relationship, making it less effective and rewarding,” said Peter S. Lund, MD, president of the Pennsylvania Medical Society.
“The pressures of excessive workloads can increase the chance of medical errors and reduce the quality of patient care. In addition, excessive workloads reduce the quality of life for physicians and their families,” he added.
The number of procedures performed by operating physicians increased 20 percent—from 69,627 to 84,164—between 1999 and 2005. During this time, the number of operating physicians remained constant.
There isn’t a lot of data available on the workloads of physicians in Pennsylvania, but data from the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council shows that the workload of physicians of hospitalized patients is on the rise.
Between 1999 and 2005, the number of attending physicians in hospitals dropped from 16,335 to 15,330—while their patients increased from 454,000 to 490,000.
Emergency department physicians also have seen an increase in patients, as the number of emergency room visits jumped from 4.4 million in 1999 to 5.4 million in 2005.
The report also found that Pennsylvania surgeons earn less than surgeons in other states but have about 25 to 30 percent more work.
“Payment and work load play strong roles in a physician’s choice of practice location. If Pennsylvania becomes known as a state where these factors are negative, it will more difficult to keep physicians practicing here,” Dr. Lund said.
Last Updated: 2/29/2008