Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic upon self-reported physician burnout in Ontario, Canada: evidence from a repeated cross-sectional survey

Abstract

ObjectivesTo estimate the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic on levels of burnout among physicians in Ontario, Canada, and to understand physician perceptions of the contributors and solutions to burnout.DesignRepeated cross-sectional survey.SettingActive and retired physicians, residents and medical students in Canada’s largest province were invited to participate in an online survey via an email newsletter.ParticipantsIn the first survey wave (March 2020), 1400 members responded (representing 76.3% of those who could be confirmed to have received the survey and 3.1% of total membership). In the second wave (March 2021), 2638 responded (75.9% of confirmed survey recipients and 5.8% of membership).Key outcome measureLevel of burnout was assessed using a validated, single-item, self-defined burnout measure where options ranged from 1 (no symptoms of burnout) to 5 (completely burned out).ResultsThe overall rate of high levels of burnout (self-reported levels 4–5) increased from 28.0% in 2020 (99% CI: 24.3% to 31.7%) to 34.7% in 2021 (99% CI: 31.8% to 37.7%), a 1-year increase of 6.8 percentage points (p<0.01). After a full year of practising during the COVID-19 pandemic, respondents ranked ‘patient expectations/patient accountability’, ‘reporting and administrative obligations’ and ‘practice environment’ as the three factors that contributed most to burnout. Respondents ranked ‘streamline and reduce required documentation/administrative work’, ‘provide fair compensation’ and ‘improve work–life balance’ as the three most important solutions.ConclusionsDuring the first 12 months of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario, prevalence of high levels of burnout had significantly increased. The contributors and solutions ranked highest by physicians were system-level or organisational in nature.

“It’s What We Can Do Right Now”: Professional Identity Formation Among Internal Medicine Residents During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Lastly, our study adds to the important conversation around resident burnout. It is no surprise that the pandemic has catalyzed the experience of burnout among physicians 40 . Our participants struggled to balance caring for patients, self-directing their learning, and addressing personal priorities.…”

“…It is no surprise that the pandemic has catalyzed the experience of burnout among physicians. 40 Our participants struggled to balance caring for patients, self-directing their learning, and addressing personal priorities. As personal "bandwidth" was depleted, residents in our study appeared to experience what Varpio et al 41 characterize as "role strain"-the inability to meet role expectations and responsibilities due to a scarcity of various resources.…”

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“…19,21 In a 2022 crosssectional survey involving Ontario physicians, improved work-nonwork balance was cited as 1 of the top 3 potential solutions to burnout. 26 Another possible explanation is that the proposal that compensation increases exceeding target incomes have caused a cutback in service provision. 27,28 Although our analysis is informative, it and the 2 simple adjustments we employed have limitations.…”

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