Purpose
Physician burnout affects approximately half of US physicians, significantly higher
than the general working population. The aims of this study were to determine the
prevalence of burnout specifically among hand surgeons and to identify factors unique
to the practice of hand surgery that may contribute to burnout.
Methods
A Web-based survey, developed in conjunction with the American Medical Association,
was administered to all active and lifetime members of the American Society for Surgery
of the Hand using the Mini Z Burnout assessment tool. Additional data were collected
regarding physician demographics and practice characteristics.
Results
The final cohort included 595 US hand surgeons (American Society for Surgery of the
Hand [ASSH] members) and demonstrated that 77% of respondents were satisfied with
their job, although 49% regarded themselves as having burnout. Lower burnout rates
were correlated with physicians aged older than 65, those who practice in an outpatient
setting, practice hand surgery only, visit one facility per week, having a lower commute
time, those who performed 10 or fewer surgeries per month, and being considered grandfathered
for Maintenance of Certification. It was shown that sex, the use of physician extenders,
compensation level, and travel club involvement had no impact on burnout rates.
Conclusions
The survey demonstrated that nearly half of US hand surgeons experience burnout even
though most are satisfied with their jobs. There is a need to increase awareness and
promote targeted interventions to reduce burnout, such as creating a strong team culture,
improving resiliency, and enhancing leadership.
Clinical relevance
Burnout has been shown to affect physicians, their families, patient care, and the
health care system as a whole negatively. The findings should promote awareness among
hand surgeons and inform future quality improvement efforts targeted at reducing burnout
for hand surgeons.
Key words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: May 26, 2020
Accepted:
March 30,
2020
Received:
February 20,
2019
Footnotes
Dr Sears is supported by Career Development Award number IK2 HX002592 from the US Department of Veterans AffairsHealth Services R&D Service. The funding organizations had no role in the design and conduct of the study, including collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of the data. No other benefits in any form have been received or will be received related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article.
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© 2020 by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. All rights reserved.
