Alec B O'Connor1, Jillian S Catalanotti2, Sanjay V Desai3, MaryGrace Zetkulic4, Michael Kisielewski5, Lisa L Willett6, Aimee K Zaas7. 1. is Internal Medicine Residency Director and Professor of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. 2. is Vice Chair of Academic Affairs, General Internal Medicine Division Director, and Associate Professor of Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. 3. is Vice Chair for Education and Professor of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. 4. is Internal Medicine Residency Director and Assistant Professor of Medicine, Hackensack-Meridian School of Medicine. 5. is Assistant Director of Surveys and Research, Alliance for Academic Internal Medicine. 6. is Internal Medicine Residency Director and Professor of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham. 7. is Internal Medicine Residency Director and Professor of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine.
Abstract
Background: Burnout is common among physicians and physician leaders, including residency program directors (PDs). The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and other stressors in 2020 on PDs is unknown. Objective: To measure the prevalence of burnout among internal medicine (IM) residency PDs 6 months into the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A total of 429 IM PDs, representing 83% of accredited residency programs, were surveyed from August to December 2020. Burnout, using a 2-item screening tool, and self-reported consideration of resigning in 2020, were compared to their annual prevalence since 2012 and tested for possible associations with pandemic stressors and program characteristics. Results: The survey response rate was 61.5% (264 of 429). One-third (33.6%, 87 of 259) of PD respondents met burnout criteria, and 45.1% (110 of 244) reported considering resigning in the past year, which were within the range of preceding years. PDs who reported feeling highly supported by institutional leadership were less likely to meet burnout criteria and to have considered resigning. There were no associations between burnout or consideration of resigning and the amount of clinical time PDs spent in their roles, duration of maximum stress on programs, budget cuts to programs, or geographic region. Conclusions: The prevalence of burnout among PDs in fall 2020 was similar to the prevalence of burnout in pre-pandemic years despite uniquely extreme stressors. PDs' perception of being highly supported by institutional leadership was associated with lower prevalence of burnout and consideration of resigning. Perceived leadership support may be a protective factor against burnout during periods of high stress.
Background: Burnout is common among physicians and physician leaders, including residency program directors (PDs). The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and other stressors in 2020 on PDs is unknown. Objective: To measure the prevalence of burnout among internal medicine (IM) residency PDs 6 months into the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A total of 429 IM PDs, representing 83% of accredited residency programs, were surveyed from August to December 2020. Burnout, using a 2-item screening tool, and self-reported consideration of resigning in 2020, were compared to their annual prevalence since 2012 and tested for possible associations with pandemic stressors and program characteristics. Results: The survey response rate was 61.5% (264 of 429). One-third (33.6%, 87 of 259) of PD respondents met burnout criteria, and 45.1% (110 of 244) reported considering resigning in the past year, which were within the range of preceding years. PDs who reported feeling highly supported by institutional leadership were less likely to meet burnout criteria and to have considered resigning. There were no associations between burnout or consideration of resigning and the amount of clinical time PDs spent in their roles, duration of maximum stress on programs, budget cuts to programs, or geographic region. Conclusions: The prevalence of burnout among PDs in fall 2020 was similar to the prevalence of burnout in pre-pandemic years despite uniquely extreme stressors. PDs' perception of being highly supported by institutional leadership was associated with lower prevalence of burnout and consideration of resigning. Perceived leadership support may be a protective factor against burnout during periods of high stress.
Authors: Anthony C Waddimba; Melissa Scribani; Melinda A Nieves; Nicole Krupa; John J May; Paul Jenkins Journal: Eval Health Prof Date: 2015-02-24 Impact factor: 2.651
Authors: Colin P West; Liselotte N Dyrbye; Daniel V Satele; Jeff A Sloan; Tait D Shanafelt Journal: J Gen Intern Med Date: 2012-02-24 Impact factor: 5.128
Authors: Tait D Shanafelt; Michelle Mungo; Jaime Schmitgen; Kristin A Storz; David Reeves; Sharonne N Hayes; Jeff A Sloan; Stephen J Swensen; Steven J Buskirk Journal: Mayo Clin Proc Date: 2016-04 Impact factor: 7.616
Authors: Amy K Windover; Kathryn Martinez; Mary Beth Mercer; Katie Neuendorf; Adrienne Boissy; Michael B Rothberg Journal: JAMA Intern Med Date: 2018-06-01 Impact factor: 21.873
Authors: Kirsten M Fiest; Jeanna Parsons Leigh; Karla D Krewulak; Kara M Plotnikoff; Laryssa G Kemp; Joshua Ng-Kamstra; Henry T Stelfox Journal: BMC Psychiatry Date: 2021-02-10 Impact factor: 3.630
Authors: Robert M Rodriguez; Anthony J Medak; Brigitte M Baumann; Stephen Lim; Brian Chinnock; Remi Frazier; Richelle J Cooper Journal: Acad Emerg Med Date: 2020-07-21 Impact factor: 5.221