Decoding Burnout – The Hidden Strain Facing Medical Coders

Last week I read a research letter dealing with family physician burnout published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Internal Medicine. 

It noted 43.5 percent of family physicians reported burnout.  Among those reporting burnout were women, those practicing in nonrural areas and providers over the age of 55.  This survey was conducted between 2016 and 2020, so it did include some of the COVID pandemic. 

This alarming statistic made me think about burnout in the coding world.  In January of this year the American Association of Professional Coders (AAPC) addressed this in an article by Allison Apaza.  It noted coder burnout is a prevalent condition.  I’m confident those of us who code has known someone in our career who had experienced burnout, perhaps we even have felt it ourselves a time or two.  

The signs of coder burnout may be physical, mental or both.  Prolonged periods of time sitting may cause back strain and stiffness.  Looking up at a screen or down at a book or notes may cause a real pain in the neck.  Hands and wrists that continuously strike a keyboard may become strained, maybe even develop carpal tunnel syndrome. 

It is important that coders are aware of this and take steps to ease the physical strain on the body during the workday.  First step would be to take inventory of your work area. 

Is it ergonomically set up for optimal functioning?  A simple change in chair or monitor height may make a difference.  Looking at a computer screen for hours at a time may cause eye strain.  Blue light filtering glasses may offer some relief. 

Also taking breaks, looking away from the screen off in the distance, may offer relief as well.  I have even heard of people setting a timer, reminding them each hour to stand up, walk around and get moving. 

The mental signs of coder burnout are important to watch for as well.  Maybe you are noticing more errors or corrections coming back. 

This is another reason why it is important to perform frequent audits on your coding team.  Not only does this identify areas where additional education may be needed, but it also provides a benchmark where you can identify trends and changes in performance. 

Maybe a coder is working on different types of accounts each day.  A change in schedule to work only one type each day may help keep the coder focused and feel less overwhelmed.  Coders who are experiencing burnout may also have greater difficulty functioning when workload is increased or deadlines are shortened. 

Deep breathing and relaxation exercises can help.  Having a supportive workgroup and management can also make a big difference in how the coder responds. 

So, what can we do once we have identified a coder who is experiencing burnout or is on the verge of burnout?  Supportive and understanding intervention can help.  The solution may be a shift of work duties either temporarily or on a longer-term basis. 

Sometimes just being able to discuss stressful job functions with a co-worker or manager can help.  Even if an immediate solution to the problem isn’t found, just being heard can change an attitude.  The available solutions will depend on if the coder is working in office or remotely.  Those coders who work remotely may feel more isolated and alone which adds to the overall stress.  

The AAPC article noted that while coder burnout occurs on that individual level, it has ripple effects that extend to the entire team, department, organization and our healthcare system overall.  It also notes the importance of creating a supportive environment for all medical coders. 

If you have experienced burnout and have tips to share, please share them with the coding professionals you know.   

Are You at Risk of Medical Coding Burnout? – AAPC Knowledge Center

Turnover and Burnout Among Family Physicians | Professional Well-being | JAMA Internal Medicine | JAMA Network