TY - JOUR T1 - COVID-19 Physician Burnout: Louisiana's Workforce Vulnerability and Strategies for Mitigation JF - Ochsner Journal JO - Ochsner J DO - 10.31486/toj.22.0072 AU - Richard Shane Barton AU - Tara Saxena AU - Carver Montgomery AU - Denise Bates-Fredi AU - Matthew Kelley AU - Patrick A. Massey Y1 - 2022/12/21 UR - http://www.ochsnerjournal.org/content/early/2022/12/01/toj.22.0072.abstract N2 - Background: Louisiana is historically one of the lowest-performing states in terms of health outcomes in the United States. Hurricane Katrina led to a decrease in available health care resources, with a larger impact on resources for those living below the poverty line. Subsequently, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been shown to have had disproportionately large impacts on minority communities, uninsured populations, and rural communities—all of which are found in Louisiana.Methods: This review focuses on the unique challenges of health care in Louisiana, the influence of COVID-19 on physician burnout, and methods of reducing work exhaustion for those in the health care field.Results: A national survey showed that physician satisfaction decreased from June 29, 2021, through September 26, 2021, compared to before the pandemic. A critical component in the provision of the essential services of public health is the ability to build and sustain a clinically skilled and diverse physician workforce. Maintaining well-being and retaining the physician workforce are prerequisites to the equitable provision of access to health care services.Conclusion: Maintaining one's own wellness is critical to occupational sustainability, particularly when unique stressors such as those encountered during the COVID-19 pandemic are present. The future of a vital health care system depends on physicians maintaining healthy habits and seeking help when burnout symptoms are recognized, both at the individual and institutional level. ER -