Burning the midnight oil: Post-pandemic burnout among neuropsychology trainees

Competent patient care requires managing burnout in professionals, yet trainees face a unique set of stressors (e.g., balancing academic responsibilities with clinical work, teaching, mentorship, research, etc.). Burnout in neuropsychology trainees remains unstudied. This study assessed burnout levels in neuropsychology trainees to evaluate their severity and guide prevention and intervention efforts.

Neuropsychology doctoral students (n = 169, M_age = 29.22) and postdoctoral fellows (n = 12, M_age = 32.23) completed a demographic/training survey and the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory, measuring personal, work, and patient burnout (0-100 scale; higher = greater burnout). MANOVA and chi-square tests analyzed demographic/training data; MANCOVA assessed burnout differences, and Pearson correlations examined links between demographics, training, and burnout.

Respondents reported moderate personal (M = 59.43, SD = 19.22) and work burnout (M = 56.64, SD = 18.30), and mild patient burnout (M = 34.57, SD = 18.71). MANCOVA showed no burnout differences across demographics, subspecialties (p = .41, partial η2 = .020), or training years (p = .28, partial η2 = .031). More years in training correlated with fewer activities (r(158) = -.457, p < .001), but activity level wasn't linked to burnout.

Neuropsychology trainees showed burnout levels similar to professionals, with no significant differences across demographics or subspecialties. Activity levels declined with training progression, but burnout remained consistent, indicating comparable burnout across trainees. Preventative strategies like self-care and mindfulness are essential for supervisors to recognize and support trainees' well-being and quality of patient care.