Variability of Burnout and Stress Measures in Pediatric Residents: An Exploratory Single-Center Study From the Pediatric Resident Burnout–Resilience Study Consortium

• Main Authors: Suzanne Reed MD, Kathi J. Kemper MD, MPH, Alan Schwartz PhD, Maneesh Batra MD, Betty B. Staples MD, Janet R. Serwint MD, Hilary McClafferty MD, Charles J. Schubert MD, Paria M. Wilson MD, MEd, Alex Rakowsky MD, Margaret Chase MD, John D. Mahan MD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: SAGE Publishing 2018-10-01
• Series: Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1177/2515690X18804779

Residency is a high-risk period for physician burnout. We aimed to determine the short-term stability of factors associated with burnout, application of these data to previous conceptual models, and the relationship of these factors over 3 months. Physician wellness questionnaire results were analyzed at 2 time points 3 months apart. Associations among variables within and across time points were analyzed. Logistic regression was used to predict burnout and compassionate care. A total of 74% of residents completed surveys. Over 3 months, burnout ( P = .005) and empathy ( P = .04) worsened. The most significant cross-sectional relationship was between stress and emotional exhaustion (time 1 r = 0.61, time 2 r = 0.68). Resilience was predictive of increased compassionate care and decreased burnout ( P < .05). Mindfulness was predictive of decreased burnout ( P < .05). Mitigating stress and fostering mindfulness and resilience longitudinally may be key areas of focus for improved wellness in pediatric residents. Larger studies are needed to better develop targeted wellness interventions.