The association between objectively-measured activity, sleep, call responsibilities, and burnout in a resident cohort

Abstract

Background When compared to the general US working population, physicians are more likely to experience burnout and dissatisfaction with work-life balance. Our aim was to examine the association of objectively-measured sleep, activity, call load, and gender with reported resident burnout and wellness factors. Methods Residents were recruited to wear activity tracker bands and complete interval blinded surveys. Results Of the 30 residents recruited, 28 (93%) completed the study. Based on survey results, residents who reported high amounts of call reported equivalent levels of wellness factors to those who reported low call loads. There was no association between amount of call on training satisfaction, emotional exhaustion, self-reported burnout, or sleep quality. Analysis of sleep tracker data showed that there was no significant association with time in bed, time asleep, times awakened or sleep latency and call load or self-reported burnout. Female gender, however, was found to be associated with self-reported burnout. No significant associations were found between objectively-measured activity and burnout. Conclusions Based on the results of our study, there was no association with burnout and objectively-measured sleep, call volume, or activity. Increased call demands had no negative association with training satisfaction or professional fulfillment. This would suggest that more hours worked does not necessarily equate to increased burnout.

Factors Correlating to Burnout among Otolaryngology Residents

“…In the study “Using a Single Item to Measure Burnout in Primary Care Staff: A Psychometric Evaluation” 10 , a single question was proven to be a viable substitute to the MBI in assessing burnout and has been cited in multiple other studies for its use in assessing burnout among physicians. 11,12 The question is “Overall, based on your definition of burnout, how would you rate your level of burnout?”. The respondent is then given five descriptions of burnout with answers 1 and 2 being without burnout and answers 3, 4, and 5 with burnout.…”

Quality of Life among Surgical Residents at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

“…Another important and notable finding is that 42.5% of the residents are smokers, and along with the BMI and high stress level, these findings can explain why general well being subscale is low in nearly half of the surgical residents. On the contrary, a study conducted in US concluded that sleep hours and activity level have no association with burnout and stress level [17)]. This should shift the focus to other factors other than activity level or sleep hours, workload for instance.…”

Burnout and work-life balance in neurosurgery: Current state and opportunities

“…Many factors have been associated with burnout among physicians including administrative workload, alignment of values between administrators and physicians, a sense of control over the workplace, excessive number of call days, high patient quotas, inattention to personal wellness, long work hours, mistakes, poor cohesiveness among coworkers, poor patient outcomes, and technology allowing “constant access” to work. [ 2 , 8 , 15 , 16 , 27 , 28 , 30 , 40 ]…”

“…Physicians are more likely to report burnout than the general population. [ 28 ] In fact, national burnout rates among physicians have been reported to be >50%. [ 40 , 46 ] Neurosurgeons are not immune to burnout, as reported rates in the specialty have ranged from 27% to 57%.…”