8 - A National Survey of Burnout in Gastroenterologists

Introduction: Levels of burnout (BO) have been reported in oncologists, surgeons, primary care physicians and other subspecialists. The study aim was to determine BO prevalence and factors associated with BO in gastroenterologists.

Methods: A 60-item survey was emailed to ACG members in 2014-2015 to assess BO. The 22-item Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) was used to measure BO, with the MBI subscales of emotional exhaustion (EE) and depersonalization (DP) used as indicators of BO. BO is defined with “high” DP or EE scores. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was done.

Results: Of 1021/11080 (9.2%) surveys returned, 749 respondents completed all MBI questions andwere included with 49% of respondents having BO. The average age was 54 and 20 years post fellowship was 20 years. 93.5% were working full time and 61% were in private practice. An average of 8 hours/day was spent in direct patient care, 3 hours/day in administrative tasks at work, and 2 hours/day of work-related tasks performed at home. While most use an EMR, 47% rated it not being user friendly. 64% of respondents said they were considering leaving their current practice situation within 2 years; 18% likely or definitely, 17% moderately and 29% slightly considering it. Of those, 43.5% would look for a different practice, 7% would leave medicine, 28% would retire. 46% reported considering early retirement: practice regulations (31%), MOC (23%), declining reimbursement (Medicare: 23%; commercial 23%). Practice and personal factors are associated with BO (Tables).: female sex, younger age, childless or younger children, more hours spent on domestic chores and childcare, reporting EMR as “unfriendly”, spending more hours of patient-related work at home, having a spouse who spent more hours at work, spousal relationship viewed as neutral/dissatisfying, consideration of early retirement or leaving practice within 2 years, and eating breakfast and lunch < 50% of work days. Nearly 60% of respondents would utilize resources to promote professional and personal well-being.

Discussion: BO is reported in nearly half of gastroenterologists. Aspects of practice and personal life are associated with BO. Specific BO drivers may be mitigated by decreasing unfriendly EMR, practice regulations, MOC, declining reimbursement, time spent at home on work related tasks and domestic chores. A large proportion of respondents desire to retire or leave their practice. Resources are requested by gastroenterologists to combat BO.