Patterns in Physician Burnout in a Stable-Linked Cohort

Area of Science:

• Medical research
• Public health
• Physician well-being

Background:

• Physician burnout is a growing concern in the United States.
• Previous analyses of physician burnout trends have limitations due to participant turnover.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence of physician burnout over a five-year period.
• To analyze burnout trends within a large, multispecialty physician group.

Main Methods:

• A longitudinal survey study conducted in 2017, 2019, and 2021.
• Involved physician faculty from the Massachusetts General Physicians Organization.
• Assessed burnout using the Maslach Burnout Inventory, defining it by high scores in exhaustion and/or cynicism and/or reduced personal efficacy.

Main Results:

• A cohort of 1373 physicians completed all three surveys.
• Physician burnout decreased slightly from 44.4% in 2017 to 41.9% in 2019.
• Burnout significantly increased to 50.4% in 2021 (P < .001).

Conclusions:

• Survey findings indicate an escalating rate of physician burnout in the US.
• The rising burnout trend poses a significant risk to patient care delivery.
• Urgent interventions are necessary to address this critical issue in the healthcare system.