Longitudinal look at individual resident preferences to prevent burnout: Which matter the most?

Abstract

ABSTRACT A longitudinal look at individual resident preferences to prevent burnout: Which matter the most? Background and Objectives Burnout among residents-in-training is being reported more frequently. Previous studies have shown that lower measures of emotional intelligence, mindfulness, emotional regulation, and gratitude earlier in residency were associated with higher burnout scores later. Many studies have reported interventions intended to lessen burnout but not chosen by the residents with variable results on subsequent burnout measures. This paper reports an individually paired longitudinal analysis of strategies ranked by the resident as important with a subsequent burnout measure. Methods From 2017 through 2021, 32 residents completed a survey ranking their preference of ten approaches to preventing burnout at the beginning of the academic year. Then they later completed a burnout survey at the end of each year. Results With a usable response rate of 94% and calculating Spearman’s Correlation, residents completing their first year of training after medical school (PG-1) who gave a higher rank to a workplace supporting their personal values (p=.016), self-care (p=.031), and administrative support (p=.046) showed less burnout at the end of the year. PG-3s (those completing their third year of training after medical school) who gave a higher rank to spending time with family and friends (p=.002) showed less burnout. For all three years, the most powerful correlation was with adopting a healthy philosophical outlook (p=.014, .008, <.001). Conclusions In this group of residents, the correlations of preferred strategies for lessening burnout differed by training level. Rather than faculty choosing an intervention, we propose these ten strategies as a potential menu, allowing the individual resident to focus on their preferences working with a mentor. Group discussion of methods used by individual residents to adopt a healthy philosophical outlook would also be helpful.