The Experience of Burnout and Satisfaction Among Primary Care Providers Working in Federally Qualified Health Centers

Burnout has increased among US health care providers over the last decade, often affecting primary care providers (PCPs) with greater severity. In the USA, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) provide primary care to over 33 million people regardless of their ability to pay. Addressing provider burnout and ensuring professional satisfaction at these centers are important to ensure health care access and equity. This study solicited feedback from PCPs working in FQHCs on elements of their jobs that led to burnout and satisfaction.

Qualitative interviews were conducted with 28 FQHC PCPs and 3 FQHC leaders in 9 states. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and then analyzed by a group of clinician-researchers with expertise in qualitative methods. Qualitative data analysis was completed using Immersion-Crystallization.

FQHC PCPs eloquently described their experiences of burnout as they related to three major themes: a mismatch between job demands and resources, a sense of the impossibility of the job of primary care, and a concern for the health care system-as well as their organization's-deviation from its mission. Despite challenges, PCPs also reported satisfaction with their work, achieved through diversity in their roles, support from leaders and teams, and their relationships with patients and the mission of their work.

In the USA, FQHCs are large-scale providers of primary care and are important in addressing health disparities. The experience of primary care providers who choose to work in these settings is important to understand. To ensure a resilient and sustained workforce for the future, organizational efforts to bolster work elements that lead to professional satisfaction and to mitigate those factors that lead to burnout are necessary.