Cited by 558Healthcare professionals’ stress and burnoutCOVID-19 and Mental HealthOccupational Health and Burnout

Changes in Burnout and Satisfaction With Work-Life Integration in Physicians During the First 2 Years of the COVID-19 Pandemic

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Shanafelt, Tait D., West, Colin P., Dyrbye, Lotte N., Trockel, Mickey, Tutty, Michael, Wang, Hanhan, Carlasare, Lindsey E., Sinsky, Christine·2022·Mayo Clinic Proceedings

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of burnout and satisfaction with work-life integration (WLI) in US physicians at the end of 2021, roughly 21 months into the COVID-19 pandemic, with comparison to 2020, 2017, 2014, and 2011. METHODS: Between December 9, 2021, and January 24, 2022, we surveyed US physicians using methods similar to those of our prior studies. Burnout, WLI, depression, and professional fulfillment were assessed with standard instruments. RESULTS: There were 2440 physicians who participated in the 2021 survey. Mean emotional exhaustion and depersonalization scores were higher in 2021 than those observed in 2020, 2017, 2014, and 2011 (all P<.001). Mean emotional exhaustion scores increased 38.6% (2020 mean, 21.0; 2021 mean, 29.1; P<.001), whereas mean depersonalization scores increased 60.7% (2020 mean, 6.1; 2021 mean, 9.8; P<.001). Overall, 62.8% of physicians had at least 1 manifestation of burnout in 2021 compared with 38.2% in 2020, 43.9% in 2017, 54.4% in 2014, and 45.5% in 2011 (all P<.001). Although these trends were consistent across nearly all specialties, substantial variability by specialty was observed. Satisfaction with WLI declined from 46.1% in 2020 to 30.2% in 2021 (P<.001). Mean scores for depression increased 6.1% (2020 mean, 49.54; 2021 mean, 52.59; P<.001). CONCLUSION: A dramatic increase in burnout and decrease in satisfaction with WLI occurred in US physicians between 2020 and 2021. Differences in mean depression scores were modest, suggesting that the increase in physician distress was overwhelmingly work related. Given the association of physician burnout with quality of care, turnover, and reductions in work effort, these findings have profound implications for the US health care system.

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  • Primary care providers and specialists who diagnose Alzheimer's disease or provide ongoing care for those with Alzheimer's disease exhibit some of the highest rates of burnout.

    “Of note, PCPs and specialists who diagnose Alzheimer's disease or provide ongoing care for those with Alzheimer's disease exhibit some of the highest rates of burnout.811”

    From 2023 Alzheimer's disease facts and figures (2023) · cites this paper as [811]

    The Results report higher adjusted odds of burnout for family-medicine physicians, a primary-care specialty. Neither the Results nor the Discussion identifies clinicians who diagnose or care for people with Alzheimer’s disease, or establishes that those clinicians as a group have some of the highest burnout rates. Page numbers were not available in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.86)

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  • Clinician burnout has increased.

    “Clinician burnout has increased1”

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Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. [18]Association of American Medical Colleges AAMC report reinforces mounting physician shortage https://www.aamc.org/news-insights/press-releases/aamc-report-reinforces-mounting-physician-shortage 2021
  2. [44]National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; National Academy of Medicine; Committee on Systems Approaches to Improve Patient Care by Supporting Clinician Well-Being Taking Action Against Clinician Burnout: A Systems Approach to Professional Well-being 2019 National Academies Press 31940160

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Authors
Shanafelt, T. D., West, C. P., Dyrbye, L. N., Trockel, M., Tutty, M., Wang, H., Carlasare, L. E., & Sinsky, C.
Affiliations
  • Stanford University (US)
  • Mayo Clinic (US)
  • American Medical Association (US)
Corresponding author
Shanafelt, Tait D.
Venue
Mayo Clinic Proceedings
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2022-12
Volume
97
Issue
12
Pages
2248-2258
ISSN
0025-6196 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4295776311
Cited by
558
References
51
Citations by year
2026: 100 · 2025: 157 · 2024: 167 · 2023: 125 · 2022: 9
FWCI
131.46
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Mayo Clinic Proceedings (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Science Foundation (2041339)
  • National Institute of Nursing Research (R01NR020362-01)
  • American Medical Association
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Healthcare professionals’ stress and burnout
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › COVID-19 and Mental Health
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Occupational Therapy › Occupational Health and Burnout
Keywords
physician burnout, work-life integration, COVID-19 pandemic, emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, depression, professional fulfillment, physician well-being, specialty differences, burnout prevention programs, physician recruitment
MeSH terms
COVID-19, Burnout, Professional, Humans, Job Satisfaction, Personal Satisfaction, Physicians, Surveys and Questionnaires, Pandemics

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