A Longitudinal Study Exploring Learning Environment Culture and Subsequent Risk of Burnout Among Resident Physicians...

Area of Science:

• Medical Education Research
• Occupational Health Psychology
• Resident Physician Well-being

Background:

• Burnout is a significant concern among resident physicians.
• The learning environment culture may influence burnout risk.
• Gender differences in burnout and workplace experiences are documented.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between learning environment culture and burnout risk in residents.
• To examine these relationships overall and by gender.

Main Methods:

• National survey of second (R2) and third (R3) year residents (2016-2017).
• Assessed negative interpersonal experiences (psychological safety, bias, inclusion, respect, justice) and unfair treatment.
• Utilized Maslach Burnout Inventory items; linked R2 and R3 responses.

Main Results:

• Women reported more negative interpersonal experiences and unfair treatment than men at R2.
• Women at R3 were more likely to experience burnout than men (OR, 1.23).
• Higher negative interpersonal experiences at R2 predicted burnout at R3 for both genders (OR, 1.32).

Conclusions:

• Female residents exhibit a higher likelihood of burnout in their third year.
• A negative learning culture is a predictor of subsequent burnout for all residents.
• Burnout disparities are linked to differing exposure to negative interactions, not differential impact.