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Neurosurgery trainee well-being in a pediatric neurosurgery hospital: baseline data to motivate toward implementing
Maryam N Shahin1, V Jane Horak2, Hanna Kemeny3
11Department of Neurological Surgery, Doernbecher Children's Hospital, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon.
Insights
Pediatric neurosurgery trainees experience higher emotional exhaustion than healthcare professionals. Addressing these factors may improve trainee well-being and reduce burnout risk.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Medical Education
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Pediatric neurosurgery training is demanding.
- Assessing trainee well-being is crucial for professional development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish baseline well-being data for pediatric neurosurgery trainees.
- To identify burnout profiles within this population.
Main Methods:
- The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) was administered to 13 pediatric neurosurgery trainees.
- Trainee scores were compared to a general human services population.
- Burnout profiles were categorized using established MBI benchmarks.
Main Results:
- Trainees reported higher emotional exhaustion (2.6 ± 1.1) than the general population (2.3 ± 1.2).
- Trainees showed lower depersonalization (1.6 ± 1) and higher personal accomplishment (4.9 ± 0.7) scores.
- Over half of trainees (53.8%) exhibited problematic burnout profiles.
Conclusions:
- More than half of pediatric neurosurgery trainees display burnout profiles.
- Elevated emotional exhaustion is a key concern.
- Interventions targeting emotional exhaustion may enhance trainee well-being.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to obtain aggregated baseline pediatric neurosurgery well-being data at a tertiary care institution.
Methods:
An institutional grant funded the completion of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) by 100% (n = 13) of the trainees during a 1-year period, including 1 pediatric neurosurgery fellow and 12 residents from 4 regional neurosurgery training programs. Aggregated and anonymized group results included frequency scores ranging from 0 (never) to 6 (every day). The mean ± SD group scores were compared to the general population of > 11,000 people in the human services professions. Burnout profiles were calculated on the basis of MBI scale scores by using established comparisons to standardized normal values. Burnout profile types include engaged, ineffective, overextended, disengaged, and burnout.
Results:
The mean ± SD score for emotional exhaustion was 2.6 ± 1.1 for trainees compared with 2.3 ± 1.2 in the comparison population. The mean ± SD score for depersonalization was 1.6 ± 1 compared with 1.7 ± 1.2 in the comparison population. The mean ± SD score for personal accomplishment was 4.9 ± 0.7 compared with 4.3 ± 0.9 in the comparison population. Profiles were classified as engaged (n = 6), ineffective (n = 3), overextended (n = 3), and burnout (n = 1).
Conclusions:
Problematic profiles were present for more than half (7 [53.8%]) of pediatric neurosurgery trainees who cited higher emotional exhaustion than the general population of healthcare providers. Trainees scored lower in depersonalization and higher in personal accomplishment compared with the general population, which are both protective against burnout. Targeting factors that contribute to emotional exhaustion may have an impact on improving the overall well-being of pediatric neurosurgery trainees.
