The doctor\u2019s bag now sits in his closet gathering dust. He lost his stethoscope somewhere in the house \u2014 a familiar weight that sat on his neck for two decades.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s been months since Justin Meschler, 48, practiced medicine. And he wonders if he ever will again.<\/p>\n
He quit his job as an anesthesiologist during the pandemic last spring when fear began seeping into every part of his life. And what began as a few months off has now turned into something much longer.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel guilty for leaving. I think about the others who stayed on. I think about the patients I could have helped. I feel like I abandoned them,\u201d Meschler said. \u201cBut mostly, I feel relieved.\u201d<\/p>\n
A year into the pandemic, many others are joining Meschler at the door \u2014 an exodus fueled by burnout, trauma and disillusionment. According to a Washington Post-Kaiser Family Foundation poll, roughly 3 in 10 health-care workers have weighed leaving their profession. More than half are burned out. And about 6 in 10 say stress from the pandemic has harmed their mental health.<\/p>\n
Read it all<\/a>.<\/p>\n Burned out by the pandemic, 3 in 10 health-care workers say they've considered leaving the profession, poll shows https:\/\/t.co\/NuJvhStFWQ<\/a><\/p>\n — The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) April 22, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \n