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Burnout Phenotypes Among U.S. General Surgery Residents.
Reiping Huang1, D Brock Hewitt2, Elaine O Cheung3
1Surgical Outcomes and Quality Improvement Center (SOQIC), Department of Surgery and Center for Health Services and Outcomes Research, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois.
Journal of Surgical Education
|May 3, 2021
Summary
Burnout presents differently in general surgery residents, with five distinct classes identified. Understanding these unique burnout profiles is key for targeted interventions to support resident well-being.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Psychology
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Workplace burnout is a significant concern in demanding professions.
- Existing metrics for burnout lack consensus on individual classification.
- General surgery residents face unique stressors contributing to burnout.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify distinct classes of burnout symptomatology in U.S. general surgery residents.
- To apply a person-centered approach to burnout classification.
- To compare characteristics of residents across identified burnout classes.
Main Methods:
- A nationwide survey of general surgery residents was conducted post-ABSITE.
- Latent class models analyzed responses to the modified abbreviated Maslach Burnout Inventory (aMBI).
- Classes were named, and member/program characteristics were compared.
Main Results:
- Five distinct burnout classes were identified: Burned Out (9.8%), Fully Engaged (23.1%), Fatigued (32.2%), Overextended (16.7%), and Disengaged (18.1%).
- Gender differences in symptoms were observed, with men showing more depersonalization and women more emotional exhaustion.
- Burned Out residents reported mistreatment, duty hour violations, and dissatisfaction.
Conclusions:
- Burnout is a multifaceted issue with variable presentations among residents.
- Latent class modeling effectively categorizes residents based on burnout symptoms.
- Tailored organizational interventions are needed for each burnout class and shared drivers.
