Investigating the association between physicians self-efficacy regarding communication skills and risk of “burnout”

Abstract

Background: Breaking bad news (BBN) may be associated with increasing risk of burnout in practising physicians. However, there is little research on the association between the way bad news is broken and burnout. We investigated the association between physicians' self-efficacy regarding communication to patients and risk of burnout. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study by proposing an ad-hoc survey exploring attitudes and practice regarding BBN and the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Service Survey to 379 physicians from two University Hospitals in Italy. Associations were assessed by multivariable logistic regression models. Results: Two-hundred twenty-six (60%) physicians returned the questionnaires. 76% of physicians acquired communication skills by observing mentors or colleagues, 64% considered BBN as discussing a poor prognosis, 56% reported discussing prognosis as the most difficult task, 38 and 37% did not plan a BBN encounter and considered it stressful. The overall burnout rate was 59%. Considering BBN a stressful task was independently associated with high risk of burnout (OR 3.01; p = 0.013). Planning the encounter (OR = 0.43, p = 0.037), mastering communication skills (OR = 0.19, p = 0.034) and the self-evaluation as good or very good at BBN (OR 0.32; 0.15 to 0.71; p = 0.0) were associated with low risk of burnout. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that some physicians' BBN attitudes and knowledge of conceptual frameworks may influence the risk of burnout and support the notion that increasing knowledge about communication skills may protect clinicians from burnout. Further research is needed in this area.

A Review of the Evidence and Recommendations on Communication Skills and the Patient–Provider Relationship: A Rome Foundation Working Team Report

“…It leads to an increased sense of connection, purpose, and job satisfaction, while decreasing clinician burnout. 20,21 When listening to someone's narrative, brain patterns can begin to mirror each other. 22,23 Depending on the type of narrative, there is a measurable increase in plasma levels of cortisol (via increased attention), dopamine (via improved memory and pleasure), and oxytocin (via pro-social, empathic behavior).…”

Burnout, Professional Self-Efficacy, and Life Satisfaction as Predictors of Job Performance in Health Care Workers: The Mediating Role of Work Engagement

“… 2 Similarly, in physicians, another study found that self-efficacy was associated with a low risk of burnout. 16 Healthcare professionals with high levels of self-efficacy cope more effectively with difficulties and strive to increase their productivity, satisfaction, motivation, and adaptability, which contributes to positive work outcomes. 17 …”

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“…In support, during the pandemic, Messerotti and colleagues [ 46 ] documented a negative association between physician communication skills and burnout, which, in turn, was negatively related to physicians addressing patients’ emotions with empathy and fostering shared decision making.…”