Understanding Health Care Provider Burnout When Caring for Patients With Refractory Epilepsy in the United States

Among health care providers (HCPs), neurologists have one of the highest rates of burnout in the United States, compromising the quality and accessibility of patient care. Patients with refractory epilepsy are especially challenging to treat. This study aims to understand the burnout level in neurologists treating patients with refractory epilepsy and identify key contributing factors.

US board-certified pediatric/adult neurologists who devote ≥50% of their time to clinical practice and treat ≥10 unique patients with refractory epilepsy annually were invited to take a noninterventional quantitative survey, designed to capture key elements of the HCP's background, burnout level, current practice, burden domains, and satisfaction with current antiseizure medications (ASMs). Burnout in 3 domains (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment) was assessed by the validated Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey.

From March 11, 2022, to April 10, 2022, a total of 138 neurology-specialist HCPs participated in the survey, divided between adult epileptologists (n = 44), adult neurologists (n = 41), pediatric epileptologists (n = 36), and pediatric neurologists (n = 17). Of participating HCPs, 61% experienced at least some burnout (≥1 of 3 burnout domains categorized as high), and 4% experienced high burnout (3 of 3 burnout domains categorized as high). High burnout levels were driven by high pediatric and inpatient caseloads and unexpected pediatric patient reluctance to transition to adult care. HCPs with high burnout had a higher yearly caseload of patients with refractory epilepsy. Most HCPs (approximately 90%) indicated that patients with refractory epilepsy were more difficult to manage than those with nonrefractory epilepsy. The proportion of HCPs satisfied or extremely satisfied with ASMs was lower for patients with refractory epilepsy (20%) than that for patients with nonrefractory epilepsy (73%). Dissatisfaction was mostly due to workload and latency of the insurance approval process, out-of-pocket costs, and poor efficacy, safety, and tolerability. For 32% of HCPs, stopping practicing or moving to another practice within 5 years was probable or very probable.

Some burnout is common among HCPs who treat patients with refractory epilepsy. However, management of refractory epilepsy is challenging, and satisfaction with available ASMs is low. Thus, addressing these contributing factors may help to alleviate HCP burnout.