8. MENTORSHIP IN RESIDENCY: IS IT PROTECTIVE AGAINST BURNOUT?

Abstract

Background Burnout in residency is multifactorial. Despite increased awareness of burnout and its risks, there is a paucity of information on how residency programs can mitigate these risks. While there are some reports that multidisciplinary interventions may be protective, there is little literature about mentorship without other interventions. The abbreviated Maslach Burnout Inventory (aMBI) has been validated in assessing burnout. The areas assessed are Personal Accomplishment (PA), Emotional Exhaustion (EE), and Depersonalization (De), with total scores in each area of 18. Lower scores in PA, and higher scores in EE and De are associated with higher burnout. Objective Determine if identifying a mentor is protective against resident burnout. Methods This was a descriptive study that used survey methodology and included pediatric and medicine-pediatric residents. Data was collected anonymously through a REDCap database. The aMBI was utilized. Residents were asked if they were able to identify a mentor. The sums and means of the residents’ scores on the aMBI for PA, EE, and De were calculated. Both the sums and the means of those with and without a mentor were compared using Chi-square testing, with significance indicated by p value Results 72 residents completed the survey. 56 identified at least 1 mentor and 16 did not. All residents scored a 10 or higher in the area of PA with 70% scoring 14 or more. The mean of PA was 14.4 for those with a mentor and 14.3 for those without (p=0.70). 40% scored 10 or greater in De, with 11% scoring 14 or more. The mean of De was 7.8 with a mentor and 8.2 without (p=0.97). 70% scored a 10 or higher in EE with 33% scoring 14 or more. The mean of EE was 9.63 with a mentor and 11.22 for those without (p=0.58). Conclusion There may be factors that prevent burnout; however, the presence of a mentor alone was not correlated with different scores in the areas of PA, EE or De. Residents scored high in the area of PA, which is protective against burnout. Over two thirds of residents scored 10 or higher in the area of EE suggesting that resident burnout is more closely linked to EE than PA or De.