A first survey. Measuring burnout in emergency medicine physician assistants.

Using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (a device used in prior studies on emergency physicians) and the EMPA Demographic, Work, and Lifestyle Characteristics Survey, we assessed the burnout levels of emergency medicine physician assistants (EMPAs) and the presence of characteristics associated with higher burnout levels. Fifty-nine percent had moderate or high burnout levels on the Emotional Exhaustion subscale; 66% on the Depersonalization subscale; and only 34% on the Personal Accomplishment subscale. Several associations were found between EMPA burnout and individual characteristics, including insomnia and low satisfaction with physician supervision. Similarities were noted with regard to burnout among EMPAs and emergency physicians.