The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) could change that by enacting the first-ever measures in a federal quality or payment program that offers incentives to physician practices and hospitals to engage their patients around these issues.

The COVID-19 pandemic has added a new dimension of stress for physicians. Most of us live with some degree of anxiety and occasional depression, and it might be argued that it reflects some of the traits that drive us to become physicians.

Physician burnout was an existing problem that grew worse during the COVID-19 pandemic. Physicians Foundation President Gary Price, MD, discusses burnout, mental health resources and the importance of the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act.

The Physician's Foundation released a survey last week that found 6 in 10 physicians lack the time and ability to address social factors that drive patient outcomes. Nearly 90% reported wanting to learn how to effectively address those vulnerabilities.

Although the majority of physicians recognize the role social determinants of health (SDOH) play in patient outcomes, many physicians do not have the time or resources needed to navigate patient SDOH, according to a survey by the Physicians Foundation.

Physicians view social drivers of health (SDOH) as critically important in the health of their patients and they want to do more to help address SDOH, a new survey report has found.

The first of three parts of the 2022 Survey of America’s Physicians focused on social drivers in patients and how they affect providers. It is the first time the organization has put out a survey focused entirely on SDOH. The survey reached more than 1,500 physicians, most of whom are specialists.

The survey, conducted in February by The Physicians Foundation, queried 1502 doctors (500 primary care physicians and 1002 specialists) about their experience with social drivers — also known as determinants — of health (SDOH).

Health care systems and practices across the country are promoting strategies to address burnout and improve well-being among physicians.

"Many physicians don't seek mental health care due to fear of negative consequences in the workplace, including retribution, exclusion, loss of license, or even their job," Gary Price, MD, president of The Physicians Foundation, told Medscape Medical News.