Canadian emergency medicine physician burnout: a survey of Canadian emergency physicians during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Objectives A previous survey of Canadian emergency medicine (EM) physicians during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic documented less than 20% experienced high levels of burnout. This study examined the experience of a similar group of physicians during the second pandemic wave. We reported the associations between burnout and physician age, gender, having children at home and training route. Methods This study utilized a national survey of Canadian emergency physicians. We collected data on demographics and measured burnout using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). Multiple logistic regression models identified associations between the emotional exhaustion and depersonalization domains of the MBI and EM physician demographics (age, gender, children living at home, and training route). Results Between November 25, 2020, and February 4, 2021, 416 emergency physicians completed the survey, representing all Provinces or Territories in Canada (except Nunavut). The mean participant age was 44, 53% were male, 64% had children living at home and 41% were FRCPC and 41% CCFP-EM trained. Sixty percent reported high burnout (either high emotional exhaustion and/or high depersonalization). Increasing age was associated with lower emotional exhaustion and depersonalization; female or nonbinary gender was associated with an increase in emotional exhaustion; and having children living at home was associated with lower depersonalization. Conclusions Most Canadian emergency physicians participating in our study during the COVID-19 pandemic reported high burnout levels. Younger physicians and female physicians were more likely than their coworkers to report high burnout levels. Hospitals should address emergency physician burnout during the pandemic because it is a threat to quality of patient care and retention of the workforce for the future. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s43678-021-00259-9.

Burnout in emergency medicine professionals after 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic: a threat to the healthcare system?

“…These high levels are significantly above those reported by European physicians during the pre-pandemic period, (EE 34.4%, DP 25.8%, and PA 23.5%) [ 36 ], and in the global systematic review during the pre-pandemic, with EE, DP, and low levels of PA (40%, 41%, and 35%) [ 38 ]. Our results are similar to those reported in other publications relative to HCPs working in EMS during the pandemic period, with DP and EE of 53%, 41%, respectively [ 39 ]. These figures underline the deterioration of the wellbeing and happiness of HCPs during the later stages of the pandemic.…”

Burnout crisis among young and female emergency medicine physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic: applying the six areas of worklife model

“…There is an old adage within emergency medicine (EM) that the specialty is a “young man’s game.” The conventional wisdom, created in a once male dominated specialty, suggests that young individuals are more suited to deal with the rigors of shift work and the disquiet of the emergency department (ED). Therefore, the study by Mercuri et al [ 1 ] should raise a red flag for EDs and hospital systems across the world. This paper shows that contrary to assumption, young physicians are at higher risk of burnout in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

“…Physicians who were pregnant or new mothers were particularly affected by limits in social contacts. Additionally, young physicians were more likely to be single and to not have children who protect against depersonalization [ 1 ].…”

Humans not heroes: Canadian emergency physician experiences during the early COVID-19 pandemic

“…Participants were sampled from our longitudinal emergency physician cohort. In brief, this cohort study started in March 2020 with weekly surveys during the first 10 weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic and repeat surveys at discrete intervals thereafter 4 9. Participants were recruited to the cohort by direct emails to 20 ED physician groups in seven provinces, email invitations via four key national societies associated with emergency care in Canada (Society of Rural Physicians of Canada, the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians, Association des Médecins d’Urgence du Québec and Association des Spécialistes en Médecine d’Urgence du Québec) and via social media (Twitter @EmergWell and Facebook).…”