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Occupational well-being of biomedical scientists in academic medical centers
Amy K Ribera1, Mickey Trockel2, Chantal M Brazeau3
1Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology, and Physiology Indianapolis, IN, USA.
Purpose:
Scientific faculty at academic medical centers face unprecedented challenges, but limited evidence exists to guide supportive strategies. This study compares the prevalence and drivers of burnout and professional fulfillment in faculty scientists and physicians.
Method:
A validated survey assessing occupational burnout, professional fulfillment, intent to leave one's institution, and associated drivers was collected in scientists and physicians from 7 U.S. organizations participating in the Healthcare Professional Well-being Academic Consortium from March 2022 to May 2024. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and hierarchical multivariable regression to examine differences in occupational well-being outcomes by faculty type.
Results:
In total, 10,032 respondents (2,231 scientists; 7,801 physicians) were included (response rate: 47.4%). Overall, 35.4% of scientists and 40.8% of physicians met criteria for burnout (p<.001), and 43.8% of scientists and 37.2% of physicians met criteria for high professional fulfillment (p<.001). In contrast, 37.3% of scientists expressed intent to leave vs 34.9% of physicians (p=.01). On 0-10 scales, scientists reported more alignment between personal and organizational values (mean score 5.18 vs 4.76; p<.001), greater sense of control over schedule (mean score 6.07 vs 4.04; p<.001), and less negative impact of work on personal relationships (mean score 2.84 vs 3.41; p<.001) vs physicians. In multivariable regression models, adjustment for differences in control over schedule between scientists and physicians led to reversal of the relationship between faculty type and burnout and professional fulfillment, with higher relative rates of burnout and lower rates of professional fulfillment in scientists vs physicians.
Conclusions:
The authors found that rates of occupational burnout were lower and professional fulfillment higher in scientists vs physicians. Despite these differences, intent to leave was more common in scientists relative to physicians. Key drivers appeared to mediate these differences in occupational well-being, laying the groundwork for potential interventions to support scientists in academic medical centers.
