Disruptive ER patients get the same good care as their cooperative counterparts—but at what price?

HealthExec – Monday, July 13, 2026
By Dave Pearson

ER physicians make accurate diagnoses and sound clinical decisions even when feeling exasperated with problem patients who persistently act up and verbally lash out.

This doesn’t mean these encounters have no effect on life in the ER.

In fact, emergency doctors suffer more burnout than peers in any other specialty—and overall care quality can and often does suffer under the weight of the stress.

The observations are from a study published July 13 in BMJ Quality & Safety.

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