Factors Associated With Orthopaedic Resident Burnout: A Pilot Study

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Occupational Health
• Surgical Training

Background:

• Burnout is a significant occupational hazard for physicians across all training and practice levels.
• Orthopaedic surgery residents face unique stressors throughout their training.
• Understanding factors contributing to burnout is essential for resident well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of residency factors, including physical activity, on burnout among orthopaedic surgery residents.
• To differentiate burnout levels across varying years of training and specific rotations.
• To assess the relationship between objective physical activity data and self-reported burnout.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 27 orthopaedic surgery residents was monitored for four weeks using wrist-worn activity monitors (Fitbit Flex).
• Burnout levels were assessed weekly using the Maslach Burnout Inventory and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 via REDCap.
• Data were analyzed to compare burnout and physical activity between junior and senior residents, and those on trauma vs. non-trauma rotations.

Main Results:

• Junior residents reported higher emotional exhaustion and depersonalization compared to senior residents.
• Residents on orthopaedic trauma rotations exhibited significantly higher emotional exhaustion and depersonalization.
• No significant differences were found in objective physical activity or self-reported sleep hours between resident groups.

Conclusions:

• Quality of life improves as residents progress through training, though depersonalization and depression remain concerns.
• Orthopaedic trauma rotations are associated with increased burnout symptoms.
• Burnout prevention programs should be implemented early in residency and reinforced during demanding rotations.