Emergency Medicine Physicians Face Persistent Burnout and Wellbeing Challenges

Recent reports from 2021 to 2023 reveal a concerning trend of persistent burnout and declining wellbeing among emergency medicine physicians. Despite ongoing efforts, the demanding nature of the profession continues to take a significant toll on those on the front lines of acute care.

Key Takeaways

• Emergency medicine physicians consistently report high levels of burnout, with significant impacts on their personal and professional lives.

• Factors contributing to burnout include long hours, high patient volumes, emotional distress, and administrative burdens.

• While some indicators show slight fluctuations, the overall picture suggests a critical need for sustained interventions to support physician wellbeing.

The Scope of Burnout

Burnout is a psychological syndrome experienced by doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers, marked by persistent emotional exhaustion, depersonalization (feeling disconnected from one's work or patients), and a reduced sense of personal accomplishment.

For clinicians, burnout often develops after long periods of overwhelming workload, constant exposure to traumatic situations, and feeling unable to provide the quality of care they aspire to. It usually shows as chronic fatigue, irritability, difficulty concentrating, cynicism towards patients and colleagues, loss of empathy, and even physical symptoms like headaches or insomnia.

A burnt-out doctor or nurse may feel disengaged, lose motivation, and begin to question their effectiveness, sometimes considering leaving the profession altogether. Recognizing these warning signs is essential to protect both caregiver wellbeing and patient safety.

Contributing Factors

Several factors exacerbate burnout in this specialty. Physicians frequently cite overwhelming patient loads, the emotional toll of dealing with trauma and loss, and insufficient support systems as major stressors. Additionally, administrative tasks and electronic health record demands add to the workload, detracting from direct patient care and personal time.

Trends Over Time

While year-over-year comparisons show some minor shifts, the core issues of burnout and compromised well-being remain prevalent. The period from 2021 to 2023 has seen emergency medicine physicians grappling with the aftermath of the pandemic, ongoing staffing shortages, and increasing patient acuity. These persistent challenges demonstrate the importance of systemic solutions rather than temporary fixes.

Impact on Physicians and Patient Care

The consequences of burnout extend beyond the individual physician, potentially affecting patient care through increased medical errors and decreased empathy. Addressing physician wellbeing is therefore not only a matter of professional health but also crucial for maintaining the quality and safety of emergency services.

Insights From RCEM (Royal College of Emergency Medicine, UK)

RCEM publications and national surveys highlight the severity and persistence of burnout among UK emergency medicine physicians. As per the 2024 GMC National Training Survey, one third of EM trainees are at high risk of burnout, while almost three-quarters describe their workloads as “heavy or very heavy.” The satisfaction levels remain among the lowest of all medical specialties.​

Key findings:

• Burnout affects 26% to 33% of EM doctors in training and practice.

• Emergency clinicians report regular frustration, not just from tragic cases, but from an increasingly overcrowded system, underfunding, insufficient social care options, and inability to deliver safe care.

• RCEM warns of a retention crisis, with 22% of doctors taking steps to leave UK practice. This results in tragic losses for the NHS and undermines quality care.​

• Experiences of discrimination and harassment also compound stress, especially among trainees with protected characteristics; 15% of female trainees reported unwelcome sexual comments or advances.​

  
  

RCEM calls for coordinated government and leadership action to address underfunding, improve social care, and bolster physician supports to stem systemic talent loss and improve wellbeing.

Insights From ACEM (Australasian College for Emergency Medicine)

ACEM publications stress that wellbeing directly affects capacity to deliver optimal patient care in Australia and New Zealand. Emergency doctors work in high-pressure, unpredictable environments, often facing repeated exposure to distress, trauma, and work-related stressors.​

Key points from ACEM statements and data:

• Work stress levels among ED physicians in Australia/NZ range from 19.5% to 22.7%—similar to international peers.​

• Physician wellbeing is affected by rising patient acuity, access block, staffing shortages, rural health workforce issues, COVID-19 impacts, discrimination, bullying, and harassment.

• ACEM advocates for systemic workplace changes that create psychologically safe workplaces, address access block, and support physician resilience.

• Doctors suffering burnout show increased risks for depression, lower engagement, diminished compassion, and are more prone to errors—which directly impacts patient safety.​

ACEM works with members on wellbeing initiatives, promoting policies and collaborative strategies to sustain resilience and enable sustainable careers.

Adding Evidence-Based Recommendations

Both RCEM and ACEM urge:

• Multi-level interventions—personal, institutional, and system-wide.

• Education and clinical supervision as critical supports.

• Promotion of leadership opportunities with adequate training.

• Specific strategies for stigma reduction, improved reporting of discrimination, and addressing gender and diversity-based stressors.

  
  

Conclusion:

Burnout in emergency medicine is a global challenge, recognized by leading colleges in the UK and Australia. Solutions require cross-sector collaboration, investment in system improvements, and sustained wellbeing programs to ensure patient safety and physician resilience.

References from RCEM & ACEM:

• GMC National Training Survey, RCEM Press Releases​

• ACEM Wellbeing Position Statements, Research Reports​