With a big gender gap in physician burnout, AI can help

Gender Inequity in Medicine: Addressing Burnout Among Women Physicians

Despite advancements in gender equity in medicine, women physicians continue to fare more poorly on measures of well-being, often facing higher levels of burnout than their male counterparts. This inequity is exacerbated by the heavy administrative burdens that come with the physician role, leaving many women doctors struggling to achieve and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Emphasized:

1. Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
2. Goal 5: Gender Equality
3. Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities

Physician Burnout Rates

In 2023, 48.2% of physicians reported experiencing at least one symptom of burnout, down from 53% in 2022. However, despite the drop in overall doctor burnout, 54.5% of women physicians reported experiencing symptoms of burnout compared with 42% of men.

The Role of Augmented Intelligence (AI)

The rise of augmented intelligence (AI), often called artificial intelligence, offers the potential to help alleviate the burden of burnout among women physicians and improve overall well-being. AI’s ability to streamline administrative tasks and enhance practice efficiency provides a promising solution for reducing burnout and creating a more equitable and sustainable future in healthcare.

Gender Inequities in Administrative Tasks

Women physicians spend on average 41 minutes more per eight hours of patient scheduled time than men in the Electronic Health Record (EHR). This includes 10 more minutes spent doing work during nonscheduled hours, or “pajama time,” and 31 more minutes writing notes.

AMA member Tina Shah, MD, MPH, a pulmonary and critical care physician, believes that AI can help reduce the workload for women physicians. Dr. Shah is the chief clinical officer for Abridge, a company that uses AI to convert patient-physician conversations into structured clinical EHR note drafts in real time.

Reducing Inbox Volume

AI has the potential to reduce the volume of in-basket messages, which have disproportionately increased for women physicians. By using AI as an equalizer, women physicians can have less administrative work and achieve an equal level of total workload with their peers.

Improving Clinical Documentation

AI can significantly improve clinical documentation and save physicians up to three hours a day. Dr. Shah is currently conducting studies to determine the impact of AI on reducing cognitive load and ultimately decreasing burnout among physicians.

Enhancing Transparency

AI can shed light on gender inequities in burnout among physicians. By quantifying the differences in workload and identifying factors such as time spent and empathy, AI can provide evidence to address these inequities and improve overall well-being.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Emphasized:

1. Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
2. Goal 5: Gender Equality
3. Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
   • Indicator 3.4.1: Mortality rate attributed to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, or chronic respiratory disease.

2. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.
   • Indicator 5.1.1: Whether or not legal frameworks are in place to promote, enforce, and monitor equality and non-discrimination on the basis of sex.
   • Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic, and public life.
   • Indicator 5.5.1: Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments and local governments.

3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.
   • Indicator 8.5.2: Unemployment rate, by sex, age, and persons with disabilities.

4. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   • Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.
   • Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by sex, age, and persons with disabilities.

Analysis

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   The article discusses the issue of burnout among women physicians, which is related to mental health and well-being. This aligns with SDG 3, which aims to promote good health and well-being for all.

   Target 3.4 focuses on reducing premature mortality from non-communicable diseases and promoting mental health and well-being. While the article does not directly address this target, it highlights the higher levels of burnout experienced by women physicians, which can impact their mental health and overall well-being.

   Indicator 3.4.1 measures the mortality rate attributed to specific non-communicable diseases. While not directly mentioned in the article, the issue of burnout among women physicians can have implications for their health and potentially contribute to increased mortality rates.

2. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   The article highlights the gender inequities faced by women physicians, particularly in terms of burnout and work-life balance. This aligns with SDG 5, which aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

   Target 5.1 focuses on ending all forms of discrimination against women and girls. The article highlights the higher levels of burnout experienced by women physicians compared to their male counterparts, indicating a potential form of discrimination in the healthcare sector.

   Indicator 5.1.1 measures the existence of legal frameworks to promote and enforce equality and non-discrimination based on sex. While not directly mentioned in the article, the issue of gender inequity in burnout among physicians suggests a need for policies and interventions to address this disparity.

   Target 5.5 aims to ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership. The article mentions the heavy administrative burdens faced by women physicians, which can hinder their ability to achieve work-life balance and potentially limit their opportunities for leadership.

   Indicator 5.5.1 measures the proportion of seats held by women in decision-making positions. While not directly mentioned in the article, the issue of gender inequity in burnout among physicians suggests a potential disparity in leadership positions within the healthcare sector.

3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   The article discusses the heavy administrative burdens faced by women physicians, which can impact their work-life balance and overall well-being. This aligns with SDG 8, which aims to promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.

   Target 8.5 focuses on achieving full and productive employment and decent work for all, including equal pay for work of equal value. The article highlights the higher levels of burnout experienced by women physicians, indicating potential disparities in their work conditions and the need for equal opportunities and support.

   Indicator 8.5.2 measures the unemployment rate by sex, age, and disability. While not directly mentioned in the article, the issue of burnout among women physicians can have implications for their employment and potentially contribute to higher unemployment rates among this group.

4. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   The article highlights the gender inequities faced by women physicians, particularly in terms of burnout and work-life balance. This aligns with SDG 10, which aims to reduce inequalities within and among countries.

   Target 10.2 focuses on promoting the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status. The article highlights the disparities faced by women physicians in terms of burnout and work-life balance, indicating a potential lack of inclusion and support within the healthcare sector.

   Indicator 10.2.1 measures the proportion of people living below 50 percent of the median income by sex, age, and disability. While not directly mentioned in the article, the issue of burnout among women physicians can have implications for their economic well-being and potentially contribute to income disparities.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: ama-assn.org