The Prevalence of Occupational Burnout Among Ophthalmologists: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Cheung, Ronald; Yu, Brian; Iordanous, Yiannis; Malvankar-Mehta, Monali S.

doi:10.1177/0033294120954135

Cited by 17 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 28 publications

(78 reference statements)

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“…13 In a prospective cohort study where physicians were surveyed in medical school and then again during year 2 of residency, ophthalmology residents were at a higher relative risk for reporting burnout symptoms compared with other clinical specialties with a burnout prevalence of 55.8%. 17,22 In a survey of the U.States. ophthalmic residents, only 26.7% of respondents reported a formal resident wellness program despite the fact 68.4% reported depression, burnout, or suicide.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…14 Previously, a meta-analysis of 9 total studies reported significant rates of burnout in ophthalmology (effective size = 0.41; CI [0.26-0.56]), with a high prevalence of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and low sense of personal accomplishment among 1408 subjects. 17 Of the 9 included studies, 5 were from the United States, including 3 regarding resident physicians only and 1 regarding academic chairs only. Although this meta-analysis is in overall agreement with the results of our investigation, comparison of methods and demographics are limited because of study heterogeneity.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Physician burnout in ophthalmology: U.S. survey

Sedhom

Patnaik²,

McCourt³

et al. 2022

J Cataract Refract Surg

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Methods: A survey was distributed through email listservs to several national ophthalmology societies. Participants completed a modified Mini Z Burnout Survey, a 10-item questionnaire measured in 5-point Likert scales, followed by demographic questions. The Mini Z Burnout survey assessed 3 main outcomes: stress, burnout, and work satisfaction. The percentage of subgroups experiencing burnout were presented and comparisons made with odds ratios from logistic regression modeling. Results:Of the 592 ophthalmologists responding to the survey, 37.8% (224) self-reported symptoms of burnout with a low of 30.8% (12/39) for vitreoretinal specialists to a high of 45.4% (30/66) for uveitis specialists. Most of those reporting burnout were categorized as mild (65.2% [146/224]), followed by moderate (29.5% [66/224]) and severe (5.4% [12/224]). Women had almost twice the odds of reporting burnout (odds ratio [OR] = 1.9 [95% CI: 1.3-2.7]; P = .0005). Physicians employed in academic (OR = 2.0 [95% CI: 1.2-3.2]; P = 0.007) and hospital facilities (OR = 2.4 [95% CI: 1.3-4.6]; P = .008) reported higher rates of burnout compared with those in large private groups. Burnout was associated with selfreported low work control, insufficient time for documentation, and misalignment with departmental leaders (P < .0001).Conclusions: Ophthalmologists exhibited a high degree of selfreported burnout in the U.S. This study highlights sex, employment autonomy, and practice type as major factors associated with burnout.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physician burnout in ophthalmology: U.S. survey

Sedhom

Patnaik²,

McCourt³

et al. 2022

J Cataract Refract Surg

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“…A heavy workload prevents the physician from taking even short breaks, which could increase PA levels, even unintendedly. This finding is a potential contributor to the established damage to physician wellness caused by excessive workload (Wallace et al, 2009) and to the burnout of ophthalmologists in particular (Cheung et al, 2020). In an era of health care systems that maximize profitability, the long-term well-being of health care providers needs to be prioritized.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Physical Activity Level of Ophthalmologists at Work: A Pedometer-Based Study

Assayag

Wiener

Gelman

et al. 2022

Workplace Health Saf

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Background: Ophthalmology practice entails many hours of physical inactivity, a potential long-term health hazard. This study aims to perform a pedometer-based evaluation of the physical activity (PA) levels of ophthalmologists at work. Methods: This is a prospective observational study. Ophthalmologists from a single tertiary medical center were monitored with electronic pedometers during six morning sessions in the ophthalmology clinics. Working hours and the number of patients seen per clinic session were retrieved. The age and body mass index (BMI) of participants were documented. Step number per working hour (SPH) was calculated for all participants. Comparisons between males and females, practicing ophthalmologists (attendings) and ophthalmology residents (residents), and sub-specialties were performed. Correlations between SPH and age, BMI, and patients seen per clinic session were computed. Findings: Pedometer readings for a total of 673 working hours were analyzed for 24 ophthalmologists, 17% female, 17 attendings, mean age 44.2 years (standard deviation ( SD = 9.8). The average number of SPH for all participants was 359.7 ( SD = 166.7). The mean PA level of residents was significantly higher than that of attendings (410.17 SPH vs. 338.95 SPH, respectively, p = .019). Oculoplastic surgeons demonstrated significantly higher step counts per hour than cornea specialists (439.90 SPH vs. 245.55 SPH, respectively, p = .002). A negative correlation was observed between SPH and the number of patients seen per clinic session ( ρ = −0.274, p = .001). Conclusions/Applications to Practice: Low number of SPH for ophthalmologists in this study indicates ophthalmology to be a highly sedentary medical occupation. PA levels of ophthalmologists in the workplace may indicate a personal health care challenge.

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“…Further, it may be that there is overuse of trainee labour to enable greater work/life balance amongst ophthalmologists at STP posts. With excessive workloads linked to burnout, 15 efforts to cap workloads for trainees may therefore be needed, especially to allow for engagement with the community which is essential for facilitating rural connection and subsequent rural recruitment 9 . Ironically, efforts to cap trainee workloads may inadvertently increase the likelihood of practising ophthalmologists leaving STP posts given that in hours workload and after‐hours workload are key factors impacting retention 9,16 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Benefits and challenges to ophthalmology training via the Specialist Training Program

Jessup

Allen

Khanal³

et al. 2022

Australian J Rural Health

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Introduction The Specialist Training Program (STP) is a commonwealth funding initiative to support specialist medical training positions in regional, rural and remote areas, and in private settings. The program helps to improve the skills and distribution of the specialist medical workforce by providing trainees experience of a broader range of healthcare settings. Objective To examine the benefits and challenges of ophthalmology training delivered by the STP in regional, rural, remote, and/or private settings across Australia. Design Qualitative design involving semi‐structured in‐depth interviews with thirty‐two participants experienced in the delivery of ophthalmology training at STP posts including ophthalmology trainees (n = 8), STP supervisors and clinical tutors (n = 16), and other stakeholders (n = 8). Findings Training delivered at STP posts was reportedly beneficial for ophthalmology trainees, their supervisors and the broader community given it enabled exposure to regional, rural, remote and private settings, access to unique learning opportunities, provided workforce support and renewal, and affordable ophthalmic care. However, all participants also reported challenges including difficulties achieving work/life balance, unmet training expectations, a lack of professional support, and financial and administrative burden. Malalignment between trainee preferences for STP posts, low STP literacy and limited regional, rural and remote training experiences were also seen as missed opportunities to foster future rural ophthalmic workforce development. Discussion The STP improves access to ophthalmic care in underserved populations while enabling valuable rural and/or private practice exposure for medical specialist trainees and workforce support for supervising ophthalmologists. Conclusion Efforts are needed to improve the quality of training experiences provided at STP posts and post sustainability. Although research is needed to investigate the longer‐term benefits of the STP to rural and/or private workforce recruitment and retention, RANZCO should develop further regional, rural and remote STP posts to help realise future rural practice intention amongst ophthalmology trainees.

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The Prevalence of Occupational Burnout Among Ophthalmologists: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Cited by 17 publications

References 28 publications

Physician burnout in ophthalmology: U.S. survey

Physician burnout in ophthalmology: U.S. survey

The Physical Activity Level of Ophthalmologists at Work: A Pedometer-Based Study

Benefits and challenges to ophthalmology training via the Specialist Training Program

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