Perfectionism as a Predictor of Physician Burnout

Abstract

Burnout is common among physicians and has detrimental effects on patient care and physician health. Recent editorials call attention to maladaptive perfectionism in medicine and the potential role of perfectionism in physician burnout; however, no studies to date have examined the effect of perfectionism on burnout in physicians practicing in the United States. This study examined the unique effects of demographics, perfectionism and personality traits on burnout among physicians. This was a cross-sectional study and included 69 attending physicians. Emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment burnout were assessed via the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Validated instruments were used to measure personality and perfectionism. Data were analyzed using linear regression models. Across physicians assessed, 42% reported either high emotional exhaustion burnout or depersonalization burnout. High self-critical perfectionism uniquely predicted both high emotional exhaustion burnout (B = 0.55, 95%CI 0.25–0.85) and depersonalization burnout (B = 0.18, 95%CI 0.05–0.31). Low conscientiousness (B = -6.12; 95%CI, -10.95- -1.28) predicted higher emotional exhaustion burnout and low agreeableness (B = -3.20, 95%CI -5.93- -0.46) predicted higher depersonalization burnout. Perfectionism is understudied among physicians and the current findings suggest that addressing system and individual-level factors that encourage maladaptive perfectionism is warranted and may reduce risk for physician burnout.

Physiotherapy Under Pressure: A Cross-Sectional Study on The Interplay Between Perfectionism, Moral Injury, and Burnout

“…This study marks the first instance where the relationship between perfectionism and burnout is elucidated from the perspective of a betrayal of values. The SEM results extend the findings of Martin et al 20 and Testoni et al 13 , underscoring the susceptibility to burnout exhibited by SPP physiotherapists when confronted with moral injury. SPP was not the only domain on the MPS-SF to have a relationship with burnout.…”

“…Martin et al 20 found perfectionism to significantly predict emotional exhaustion (β = 0.55, p = <.001) and depersonalisation (β = 0.18, p = .006) in physicians, while Biggs, McKay and Shanmugam 21 showed SPP to be associated with burnout (β = 0.36 p = .001) in physiotherapy students, suggesting perfectionism renders the person vulnerable to burnout. Against this backdrop, we argue the tendency to achieve perfection in the workplace adversely affects performance, placing individuals at risk of burnout.…”

“…The relationship between perfectionism, burnout and moral injury has also not been explored. Given the established associations of both perfectionism and moral injury with burnout in the literature 13,20 , and considering perfectionism predicts moral injury, it is reasonable to infer a connection between these variables. These three variables, All correlations between the total and domain total scores for each scale were found to be significant (see table 3).…”

“…Research highlights links between perfectionism, moral injury, and burnout. 13,20 For example, Testoni et al 13 found a relationship (r .20 p = <.001) between moral injury and burnout in clinicians. This finding is important as clinicians tend to dehumanise patients and colleagues during high levels of burnout, when high levels of exposure to moral injury occurred (ibid).…”

“…The relationship between perfectionism, burnout and moral injury has also not been explored. Given the established associations of both perfectionism and moral injury with burnout in the literature 13,20 , and considering perfectionism predicts moral injury, it is reasonable to infer a connection between these variables. These three variables, despite limited research, each demonstrated statistical significance in healthcare professionals worldwide, with no data, however, pertaining to perfectionism, moral injury and burnout in UK-based physiotherapists.…”