Rikinkumar S Patel

Bio: Rikinkumar S Patel is an academic researcher from Memorial Hospital of South Bend. The author has contributed to research in topics: Odds ratio & Major depressive disorder. The author has an hindex of 13, co-authored 90 publications receiving 943 citations. Previous affiliations of Rikinkumar S Patel include Arcadia University & Oklahoma State University–Stillwater.

Factors Related to Physician Burnout and Its Consequences: A Review

Abstract: Physician burnout is a universal dilemma that is seen in healthcare professionals, particularly physicians, and is characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a feeling of low personal accomplishment. In this review, we discuss the contributing factors leading to physician burnout and its consequences for the physician’s health, patient outcomes, and the healthcare system. Physicians face daily challenges in providing care to their patients, and burnout may be from increased stress levels in overworked physicians. Additionally, the healthcare system mandates physicians to keep a meticulous record of their physician-patient encounters along with clerical responsibilities. Physicians are not well-trained in managing clerical duties, and this might shift their focus from solely caring for their patients. This can be addressed by the systematic application of evidence-based interventions, including but not limited to group interventions, mindfulness training, assertiveness training, facilitated discussion groups, and promoting a healthy work environment.

Focus on Mental Health During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic: Applying Learnings from the Past Outbreaks

Abstract: The 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has gained global attention after it originated from China at the end of 2019, and later turned into pandemic as it affected about 118,000 in 114 countries by March 11, 2020. By March 13, 2020, it was declared a national emergency in the United States as the number of COVID-19 cases, and the death toll rose exponentially. To contain the spread of the disease, the world scientist community came together. However, the unpreparedness of the nations, even with the advanced medical sciences and resources, has failed to address the mental health aspect amongst the public, as all efforts are focused on understanding the epidemiology, clinical features, transmission patterns, and management of COVID-19 pneumonia. Our efforts in this review are to evaluate and study similar outbreaks from the past to understand its adverse impact on mental health, implement adequate steps to tackle and provide a background to physicians and healthcare workers at the time of such outbreaks to apply psychological first aid.

How Essential Is to Focus on Physician's Health and Burnout in Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic?

Abstract: An infection of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) that originated from Wuhan city of China in December 2019 converted rapidly into pandemic by March 11, 2020. To date, the number of confirmed cases and deaths has risen exponentially in more than 200 countries, with an estimated crude mortality ratio of at least over 2%. The unpreparedness to tackle the unprecedented situation of coronavirus has contributed to the rising number of cases, which has generated an immense sense of fear and anxiety amongst the public. It has further resulted in the inadequacy and unavailability of essential medical supplies, physicians, and healthcare workers (HCW). Although the chief focus is on minimizing transmission through prevention, combating infection, and saving lives by ramping up the development of treatment and vaccines, very little attention is on the critical issue of physician burnout, resident burnout, and the psychological well-being of HCW. Until now, no significant steps have been taken by the authorities to minimize the COVID-19 specific contributing factors for burnout. The COVID-19 has posed strain on the entire healthcare system already, and it is vital to remediate the issue of physician and resident burnout urgently with concrete actions to avoid subsequent potential short-term and long-term adverse implications.

A Review on Strategies to Manage Physician Burnout.

Abstract: Physician burnout is an emerging condition that can adversely affect the performance of modern-day medicine. Its three domains are emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a sense of reduced accomplishment among physicians, with the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) being the gold standard questionnaire used to scale physician burnout. This concern not only impacts physicians but the entire healthcare system in general. There is growing awareness regarding the mental health of physicians and the consequences faced by the healthcare system as a result of burnout. According to a recent study, more than 50% of physicians reported suffering from at least one burnout symptom. In this review article, we aim to identify the causes leading to burnout, its impact on physicians, and hospital management as well as interventions to reduce this work-related syndrome. Some contributing factors leading to burnout are poor working conditions with long work shifts, stressful on-call duties, lack of appreciation, and poor social interactions. Burnout can lead to adverse consequences, such as depression, substance use, and suicidal ideation in physicians and residents. This can result in poor patient care increasing total length of stay, re-admissions, and major medical errors. Due to increased scrutiny of patient and healthcare costs, along with increased lawsuits as a result of major medical errors, it is crucial for both the hospital management and physicians to recognize and address burnout among physicians. Comprehensive professional training such as Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), stress-reducing activities such as mindfulness and group activities, and strict implementation of work-hour limitations recommended by Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) for residents are a few methods that may help to manage burnout and increase productivity in hospitals.

Psychiatric Comorbidities and Outcomes in Epilepsy Patients: An Insight from a Nationwide Inpatient Analysis in the United States

Abstract: Background Psychiatric comorbidities in epilepsy impose significant burdens on patients and their families. It affects their quality of life and medical care and results in cost increases. This study reports the impact of various psychiatric comorbidities in epilepsy patients regarding hospital outcomes and in-hospital mortality. Methods We used the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) from years 2013-2014. We identified epilepsy as the primary diagnosis and psychiatric comorbidities, namely, alcohol abuse, depression, drug abuse, and psychosis, using validated International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD--9--CM) codes. The differences in comorbidities were quantified using chi-square (χ2) tests and the multinomial logistic regression model was used to quantify associations among comorbidities using the adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR). Results We analyzed 397,440 hospitalizations with epilepsy as the primary diagnosis. The most prevalent psychiatric comorbidities present in epilepsy were depression (13%) followed by psychosis (10.4%). The risk of inpatient death was only seen in epilepsy with comorbid alcohol abuse (aOR 1.164; 95%CI 1.043 - 1.300; p-value =0.007). Epilepsy with comorbid depression (aOR 1.473; 95% CI 1.391 - 1.559; p-value <0.001) was associated with a higher risk of a length of stay of more than three days (median), followed by comorbid psychosis (aOR 1.290; 95% CI 1.258 - 1.322; p-value <0.001). Epilepsy with comorbid depression (aOR 1.242; 95% CI 1.172 - 1.317; p-value <0.001) was associated with a higher risk of inpatient total charge of more than $21,000 (median), followed by comorbid psychosis (aOR 1.071; 95% CI 1.045 - 1.098; p-value <0.001). Conclusion Psychiatric comorbidities are influential factors that must be considered in models of Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) in epilepsy. Further, efforts to improve HRQOL and reduce the burden of epilepsy require greater emphasis on the early diagnosis and treatment of comorbid psychopathology.

Epidemiology of mental health problems in COVID-19: a review.

Abstract: The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a pandemic affecting health and wellbeing globally. In addition to the physical health, economic, and social implications, the psychological impacts of this pandemic are increasingly being reported in the scientific literature. This narrative review reflected on scholarly articles on the epidemiology of mental health problems in COVID-19. The current literature suggests that people affected by COVID-19 may have a high burden of mental health problems, including depression, anxiety disorders, stress, panic attack, irrational anger, impulsivity, somatization disorder, sleep disorders, emotional disturbance, posttraumatic stress symptoms, and suicidal behavior. Moreover, several factors associated with mental health problems in COVID-19 are found, which include age, gender, marital status, education, occupation, income, place of living, close contact with people with COVID-19, comorbid physical and mental health problems, exposure to COVID-19 related news and social media, coping styles, stigma, psychosocial support, health communication, confidence in health services, personal protective measures, risk of contracting COVID-19, and perceived likelihood of survival. Furthermore, the epidemiological distribution of mental health problems and associated factors were heterogeneous among the general public, COVID-19 patients, and healthcare providers. The current evidence suggests that a psychiatric epidemic is cooccurring with the COVID-19 pandemic, which necessitates the attention of the global health community. Future epidemiological studies should emphasize on psychopathological variations and temporality of mental health problems in different populations. Nonetheless, multipronged interventions should be developed and adopted to address the existing psychosocial challenges and promote mental health amid the COVID-19 pandemic.