Burnout Among Missouri Primary Care Clinicians in 2021: Roadmap for Recovery?

Rates of burnout among clinicians have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 (COVID)pandemic. A survey of Missouri primary care professionals at federally qualified health centers was conducted during a COVID surge in August 2021 to assess burnout, stress, and job satisfaction as well as if respondents had sought assistance for burnout or attended resiliency training. Despite respondents reporting rates of burnout (56%) that exceed those reported nationally (48%), only 17% sought help for burnout. Most (81%) had not attended resiliency training; of those who did, 16% said sessions "make me feel less alone," while an equivalent number found sessions not useful, identifying an absence of resources within their organization. Comments focused on the need for dedicated time to receive support, including time to seek assistance during working hours, time to take breaks, and time for self-care. The data suggest one path forward to remediate burnout: provide the workforce with time to access support. Copyright 2022 by the Missouri State Medical Association.