Prevalence and Etiology of Burnout in a Community-Based Graduate Medical Education System: A Mixed-Methods Study

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Burnout rates among American physicians and trainees are high. The objectives of this study were: (1) to compare burnout rates among residents and faculty members of the graduate medical education (GME) programs sponsored by the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita (KUSM-W) to previously published data, and (2) to evaluate the physicians’ feedback on perceived causes and activities to promote wellness. Methods: Between April and May 2017, we surveyed 439 residents and core faculty members from 13 residency programs sponsored by the KUSM-W. The survey included the Abbreviated Maslach Burnout Inventory, two open-ended questions, and demographic questions. The authors used Kruskal-Wallis and Fisher exact tests to analyze the quantitative data, and an immersion-crystallization approach to analyze the open-ended data. Results: Forty-three percent of all respondents met the criteria for burnout, and the overall response rate was 50%. When compared with core faculty members, rates of burnout among residents were higher (51% vs 31%, P<.05). The immersion-crystallization approach revealed five interconnected themes as possible causes of burnout among physicians: work-life imbalance, system issues, poor morale, difficult patient populations, and unrealistic expectations. Promotion of healthy and mindfulness activities; enhanced program leadership; and administration, program, and system modification were identified as activities/resources that can promote wellness among physicians. Conclusions: The findings show that burnout is prevalent among physicians within GME. Wellness and burnout prevention should be addressed at the beginning of medical training and longitudinally. Potential intervention should include activities that allow physicians to thrive in the health care environment.

Burnout and Quality of Life among Active Member Physicians of the Medical Society of Sedgwick County

“…The rate of burnout among the MSSC active members was higher than the 31% rate reported among core faculty physicians in the KUSM-W community-based graduate medical education system 19. Large numbers of Wichita community physicians who are MSSC members volunteer to teach in the KUSM-W system and hold volunteer faculty appointments.…”

“…A recent study of core faculty physicians of graduate medical education programs sponsored by the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita (KUSM-W) found a 31% burnout rate among the participants 19. The current study was intended to determine how burnout rates, other forms of emotional distress (symptoms of depression, fatigue, suicidal ideation, and early retirement), and overall quality of life among active member physicians of the Medical Society of Sedgwick County (MSSC) compared to the rates of previously published data by Shanafelt et al3,4 and Ofei-Dodoo et al19…”

Increasing Resident Physician Well-Being through a Motivational Fitness Curriculum: A Pilot Study

“…The MBI-9, a validated 9-item questionnaire, is considered a criterion tool to measure manifestations of burnout among health care professionals, including physicians, medical trainees, and nonclinical professionals. 2,[15][16][17][18] The inventory assesses professional burnout across three dimensions: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and perception of personal accomplishment. Participants recorded their feelings for each item on a 7-point rating scale (0 = Never, 6 = Every day).…”

“…Excessive workload, clerical burden, decreased control over workload, struggles with work-life integration, and dissolution of meaning in work are factors that are associated with burnout. 1,2 Over 50% of University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita (KUSM-W) resident physicians experienced at least one manifestation of burnout in 2017. 2 Throughout the U.S., declining psychological health related to learner depression and burnout has led graduate medical educators to instill trainees with interpersonal skills and personal well-being habits.…”

“…1,2 Over 50% of University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita (KUSM-W) resident physicians experienced at least one manifestation of burnout in 2017. 2 Throughout the U.S., declining psychological health related to learner depression and burnout has led graduate medical educators to instill trainees with interpersonal skills and personal well-being habits. 3 These interventions have targeted increasing learner confidence, satisfaction, self-validation, tolerance, and compassion.…”