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Depression, burnout, and professional outcomes among PAs
Sarah R Blackstone1, Aimee K Johnson, Noël E Smith
1Sarah R. Blackstone is the family medicine research manager at University of Virginia School of Medicine in Charlottesville, Va. At the time this article was written, she was an assistant professor in the Department of Health Sciences at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va. Aimee K. Johnson is an assistant professor in the Department of Health Sciences at James Madison University. Noël E. Smith is senior director of PA and industry research and analysis at the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) in Alexandria, Va. Timothy C. McCall is research director at the National Association of County and City Health Officials in Washington, D.C., and director of health sciences undergraduate courses at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Whitney R. Simmons and Ashley W. Skelly are assistant professors in the PA program at James Madison University. The authors have disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.
Burnout significantly impacts Physician Assistant (PA) professional fulfillment and medical errors, more so than depression symptoms. Addressing burnout is key to improving job satisfaction and clinician well-being.
Area of Science:
- Medical Professionalism
- Occupational Health
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Professional fulfillment is crucial for healthcare providers.
- Depression and burnout are prevalent issues affecting clinicians.
- Understanding these factors' impact on Physician Assistants (PAs) is vital.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of depression and burnout on PA professional fulfillment.
- To examine the relationship between these mental health factors and medical errors.
- To determine the mediating role of burnout in the depression-outcomes pathway.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional online survey was administered to 880 PAs.
- Validated instruments included the Professional Fulfillment Index, PHQ-2, and GAD-7.
- Serial mediation models were employed to analyze the data.
Main Results:
- Burnout fully mediated the association between depression and professional outcomes.
- Burnout demonstrated a stronger negative impact on job satisfaction than depression symptoms.
- The findings highlight burnout as a critical factor in PA professional experiences.
Conclusions:
- Addressing burnout is essential for enhancing professional satisfaction among PAs.
- Mitigating burnout may reduce clinician turnover, leading to organizational cost savings.
- Improved clinician mental health and resilience can potentially lead to better patient outcomes.
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