Those who started their residencies over the past few years did so in an exceptionally difficult climate. Most, if not all, health care professionals have faced a greater level of risk and higher level of stress while caring for patients than any other time in the past century. Difficult working conditions have many physicians, nurses and other health care workers experiencing burnout. As a result, some who had the option of reducing work hours did so and quit their jobs, according to Chad Meyerhoefer, a Lehigh University professor of economics.
