Social Support, Social Isolation, and Burnout: Cross-Sectional Study of U.S. Residents Exploring Associations With Individual, Interpersonal, Program, and Work-Related Factors

Abstract

Purpose To examine associations of social support and social isolation with burnout, program satisfaction, and organization satisfaction among a large population of U.S. residents and fellows and to identify correlates of social support and social isolation. Method All residents and fellows enrolled in graduate medical education programs at Mayo Clinic sites were surveyed in February 2019. Survey items measured social support (emotional and tangible), social isolation, burnout, program satisfaction, and organization satisfaction. Factors of potential relevance to social support were collected (via the survey, institutional administrative records, and interviews with program coordinators and/or program directors) and categorized as individual, interpersonal, program, or work-related factors (duty hours, call burden, elective time, vacation days used before survey administration, required away rotations, etc.). Multivariable regression analyses were conducted to examine relationships between variables. Results Of 1,146 residents surveyed, 762 (66%) from 58 programs responded. In adjusted models, higher emotional and tangible support were associated with lower odds of burnout and higher odds of program and organization satisfaction, while higher social isolation scores were associated with higher odds of burnout and lower odds of program satisfaction and organization satisfaction. Independent predictors of social support and/or social isolation included age, gender, relationship status, parental status, postgraduate year, site, ratings of the program leadership team, ratings of faculty relationships and faculty professional behaviors, satisfaction with autonomy, and vacation days used before survey administration. Conclusions This study demonstrates that social support and social isolation are strongly related to burnout and satisfaction among residents and fellows. Personal and professional relationships, satisfaction with autonomy, and vacation days are independently associated with social support and/or social isolation, whereas most program and work-related factors are not. Additional studies are needed to determine if social support interventions targeting these factors can improve well-being and enhance satisfaction with training.

An assessment of the long-term impacts of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on academic neurosurgery

“…In a cross-sectional study of US resident physicians, increased social isolation was associated with higher odds of burnout and lower odds of program satisfaction and organization satisfaction. 19 The clear message is that hospitals, healthcare systems, and those involved in neurosurgical resident education must understand the costs of burnout, recognize its signs in staff, and have policies and programs in place to address it. It is possible, however, that these results reflect individual reprioritization as a consequence of the events and experience of the pandemic.…”

“We are in this together”: The power of social connection

“…There is compelling evidence that a focus on social support and social connection may help us address this problem. A survey of all residents and fellows at the Mayo clinic reported that the odds of burnout decreased 45% for each 1-point increase in an emotional support score and more than tripled for every 1-point increase in the social isolation score 31 . A survey of surgical residents and faculty across seven institutions reported that struggling to find a mentor and lack of a social community outside of work were primary factors associated with burnout 32 .…”

“…A survey of all residents and fellows at the Mayo clinic reported that the odds of burnout decreased 45% for each 1-point increase in an emotional support score and more than tripled for every 1-point increase in the social isolation score. 31 A survey of surgical residents and faculty across seven institutions reported that struggling to find a mentor and lack of a social community outside of work were primary factors associated with burnout. 32 A similar relationship has also been described in the nursing literature with a systematic review including 24 studies, which found an inverse relationship between social support and burnout and suggested that social support may account for up to one third of the variation in burnout.…”

Till Work Do us Part. An Investigation of Occupational Burnout, Familial Relationships, and Quality of Life

“…This may equate to exhaustion and reduced cognitive performance, and consequently, to emotional distancing and indifference towards one's profession, as a self-defense coping mechanism [32][33]. In addition, working outside conventional daytime hours, including night work, or high rotation shifts, can also trigger key features of burnout, such as feelings of depersonalization, depletion, loneliness, or disconnection [34]. This mainly stems from the disruption of circadian rhythms and sleep-wake patterns, associated with physiocognitive recovery [35][36], as well as from the social isolation and work-life imbalance, correlated with overnight working and daytime sleeping [37][38].…”