Faculty Collaboration Database

Factors associated with burnout among US neurosurgery residents: a nationwide survey. J Neurosurg 2018 Nov 01;129(5):1349-1363

Date

02/10/2018

Pubmed ID

29424650

DOI

10.3171/2017.9.JNS17996

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85049338790 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   97 Citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVEExcessive dissatisfaction and stress among physicians can precipitate burnout, which results in diminished productivity, quality of care, and patient satisfaction and treatment adherence. Given the multiplicity of its harms and detriments to workforce retention and in light of the growing physician shortage, burnout has garnered much attention in recent years. Using a national survey, the authors formally evaluated burnout among neurosurgery trainees.METHODSAn 86-item questionnaire was disseminated to residents in the American Association of Neurological Surgeons database between June and November 2015. Questions evaluated personal and workplace stressors, mentorship, career satisfaction, and burnout. Burnout was assessed using the previously validated Maslach Burnout Inventory. Factors associated with burnout were determined using univariate and multivariate logistic regression.RESULTSThe response rate with completed surveys was 21% (346/1643). The majority of residents were male (78%), 26-35 years old (92%), in a stable relationship (70%), and without children (73%). Respondents were equally distributed across all residency years. Eighty-one percent of residents were satisfied with their career choice, although 41% had at some point given serious thought to quitting. The overall burnout rate was 67%. In the multivariate analysis, notable factors associated with burnout included inadequate operating room exposure (OR 7.57, p = 0.011), hostile faculty (OR 4.07, p = 0.008), and social stressors outside of work (OR 4.52, p = 0.008). Meaningful mentorship was protective against burnout in the multivariate regression models (OR 0.338, p = 0.031).CONCLUSIONSRates of burnout and career satisfaction are paradoxically high among neurosurgery trainees. While several factors were predictive of burnout, including inadequate operative exposure and social stressors, meaningful mentorship proved to be protective against burnout. The documented negative effects of burnout on patient care and health care economics necessitate further studies for potential solutions to curb its rise.

Author List

Attenello FJ, Buchanan IA, Wen T, Donoho DA, McCartney S, Cen SY, Khalessi AA, Cohen-Gadol AA, Cheng JS, Mack WJ, Schirmer CM, Swartz KR, Prall JA, Stroink AR, Giannotta SL, Klimo P

Author

Karin R. Swartz MD Assistant Dean, Professor in the Neurosurgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Burnout, Professional
Career Choice
Female
Health Surveys
Humans
Internship and Residency
Job Satisfaction
Male
Neurosurgery
Risk Factors
United States
Young Adult