Physician burnout in ophthalmology: U.S. survey

• Published in: Journal of cataract and refractive surgery Vol. 48; no. 6; pp. 723 - 729
• Main Authors: Sedhom, Jessica A, Patnaik, Jennifer L, McCourt, Emily A, Liao, Sophie, Subramanian, Prem S, Davidson, Richard S, Palestine, Alan G, Kahook, Malik Y, Seibold, Leonard K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.06.2022
• Subjects: Burnout, Professional - epidemiology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Ophthalmology; Physicians; Surveys and Questionnaires; United States - epidemiology; United States
• ISSN: 0886-3350; 1873-4502
• DOI: 10.1097/j.jcrs.0000000000000837

To determine the prevalence of physician burnout among ophthalmologists in the United States and identify associated risks. All practice types within the United States. Cross-sectional study. A survey was distributed through email listservs to several national ophthalmology societies. Participants completed a modified Mini Z Burnout Survey, a 10-item questionnaire measured in 5-point Likert scales, followed by demographic questions. The Mini Z Burnout survey assessed 3 main outcomes: stress, burnout, and work satisfaction. The percentage of subgroups experiencing burnout were presented and comparisons made with odds ratios from logistic regression modeling. Of the 592 ophthalmologists responding to the survey, 37.8% (224) self-reported symptoms of burnout with a low of 30.8% (12/39) for vitreoretinal specialists to a high of 45.4% (30/66) for uveitis specialists. Most of those reporting burnout were categorized as mild (65.2% [146/224]), followed by moderate (29.5% [66/224]) and severe (5.4% [12/224]). Women had almost twice the odds of reporting burnout (odds ratio [OR] = 1.9 [95% CI: 1.3-2.7]; P = .0005). Physicians employed in academic (OR = 2.0 [95% CI: 1.2-3.2]; P = 0.007) and hospital facilities (OR = 2.4 [95% CI: 1.3-4.6]; P = .008) reported higher rates of burnout compared with those in large private groups. Burnout was associated with self-reported low work control, insufficient time for documentation, and misalignment with departmental leaders (P < .0001). Ophthalmologists exhibited a high degree of self-reported burnout in the U.S. This study highlights sex, employment autonomy, and practice type as major factors associated with burnout.