Burnout Reduction Research Articles

Ambient artificial intelligence scribes: physician burnout and perspectives on usability and documentation burden.

This study evaluates the pilot implementation of ambient AI scribe technology to assess physician perspectives on usability and the impact on physician burden and burnout. This prospective quality improvement study was conducted at Stanford Health Care with 48 physicians over a 3-month period. Outcome measures included burden, burnout, usability, and perceived time savings. Paired survey analysis (n = 38) revealed large statistically significant reductions in task load (-24.42, p <.001) and burnout (-1.94, p <.001), and moderate statistically significant improvements in usability scores (+10.9, p <.001). Post-survey responses (n = 46) indicated favorable utility with improved perceptions of efficiency, documentation quality, and ease of use. In one of the first pilot implementations of ambient AI scribe technology, improvements in physician task load, burnout, and usability were demonstrated. Ambient AI scribes like DAX Copilot may enhance clinical workflows. Further research is needed to optimize widespread implementation and evaluate long-term impacts.

The prevalence and solutions to burnout amongst surgical trainees

Background: Burnout is a syndrome of emotional exhaustion, reduced sense of personal accomplishment and loss of sense of self. Healthcare workers in the UK are known to suffer high psychological distress and burnout. Increasing attrition rates among surgical trainees have also been noted, particularly among female trainees. However, there are limited data on the factors contributing to burnout potentially leading to trainee attrition. Interventions to combat burnout and improve trainee well-being are still in their infancy. This review reports burnout prevalence and methods implemented to reduce burnout and improve surgical trainee well-being. Objective: To report the prevalence and factors contributing to burnout and suggest evidence-based methods that reduce burnout and improve well-being within this cohort. Methods: A literature search was conducted across five databases, identifying papers on burnout prevalence among surgical trainees and reported gender. Papers outlining interventions to reduce burnout were also included. Papers were screened against our inclusion and exclusion criteria. Quality was assessed using the modified Newcastle–Ottawa Scale and data were extracted and presented in this review. Results: Following screening, 22 of 456 identified papers were included in the review; 11 papers were examined for burnout prevalence and the remaining 11 papers focused on interventions. Trainees reporting discrimination, abuse or harassment at least once a month were significantly more likely to experience burnout regardless of gender. Conflicting results were found on burnout prevalence and training level. Interventions identified included mindfulness courses, mentorship programmes, Enhanced Stress Resilience Training (ESRT) and Self-Compassion for Healthcare Communities (SCHC) training. Dedicated faculty and wellness opportunities produced lower burnout rates (p=0.02). Two months of mindfulness training via the Headspace application also reduced burnout scores (p=0.01). ESRT reduced overall burnout by 38.9%. Similarly, increased self-compassion significantly predicted burnout reduction (p=0.018). No significant improvement was identified in residents at unionised programmes. Conclusions: While there was no significant difference in burnout between genders, female and junior trainees are more at risk of exposure to negative behaviours in the workplace. This can directly contribute to higher levels of burnout. Interventions like mentorship and mindfulness and resilience training may reduce burnout and improve surgical trainee well-being. However, more needs to be done to educate faculty and raise awareness amongst surgical peers.

Navigating job demands and resources in policing: the role of self-efficacy in work burnout and engagement

PurposeThis study examined the effects of job demands and resources specific to policing on work burnout and engagement, including self-efficacy’s role in expanding the job demands-resources model (JD-R model).Design/methodology/approachThe authors used survey data from 1,591 South Korean police by nationwide sampling officers in 2023. A moderation analysis was used to examine the relationships between each variable.FindingsSelf-efficacy moderates the effects of job demands and job resources on work burnout but not on work engagement. The high self-efficacy group generally exhibits lower levels of work burnout than the low self-efficacy group. The high self-efficacy group is associated with higher levels of work burnout as job demands increase and lower levels of work burnout as job resources increase. The low self-efficacy group experiences higher levels of work burnout independent of job demands and job resources than the high self-efficacy group. In the low self-efficacy group, the reduction in job burnout is very gentle as job resources increase. Also, the increase in job burnout is steep as job demands increase.Originality/valueJob resources are generally considered helpful in reducing work burnout. However, the current study highlights the necessity for delicate interventions considering self-efficacy levels.

BREATHE-EASE Goals for Reducing Special Education Teacher Burnout

Burnout is the leading cause of the special education teacher shortage. A burnout intervention adapted for teachers was tested in two studies. Study 1 used a randomized design; Study 2 was a pre-post design. In Study 1, 44 teachers were randomized into the intervention or an active control. To enhance impact, for Study 2, personal goal-setting was added, and the intervention was renamed BREATHE-EASE (Burnout Reduction: Enhanced Awareness, Tools, Handouts, and Education–Evidence-Based Activities for Educators) Goals and evaluated with a different cohort of 42 teachers. Teachers completed assessments of social support, coping, and mindfulness. For Study 1, a medium to large nonsignificant effect for reduced emotional exhaustion (η2 = .087) was found based on a per-protocol analysis of attending at least two sessions. For Study 2, emotional exhaustion was reduced ( d = 0.45), and mindfulness ( d = 0.39) and coping ( d = 0.78) skills were improved. The findings offer a promising approach for special education teacher burnout and intrapersonal skills.

Comparison of Mindfulness Practices for Effectiveness of Stress and Burnout Reduction in Healthcare Staff.

Comparison of Mindfulness Practices for Effectiveness of Stress and Burnout Reduction in Healthcare Staff.

Psychological problems and burnout among healthcare workers: Impact of non-pharmacological lifestyle interventions

ObjectiveTo evaluate role of rajyoga meditation (RYM) versus stress management counselling (SMC) in addressing burnout syndrome and resultant improvement in electrocardiogram (ECG) so as to automate burnout prediction from raw ECG data with machine learning (ML). MethodsHealthcare providers were assigned to two groups: RYM (n = 100) or SMC (n = 102). Subjects in RYM received rajyoga for 3 months including one week offline and thereafter, virtual mode. SMC group received counselling for 1 day in offline mode and thereafter, received positive thoughts on a weekly basis. All subjects were assessed for psychological (depression, anxiety, stress scale-21 (DASS-21) and burnout syndrome (Mini Z questionnaire) along with 12-lead ECG at baseline after 4 weeks, and after 12 weeks. Based on response on question 3 of the Mini-Z questionnaire, participants were classified either as burnout or satisfied. ResultsRYM group showed significant reduction in depression, anxiety, and stress in comparison to SMC group. Burnout results display significant reduction in the RYM group in comparison to SMC group. Reduction in burnout and enhancement in satisfaction from visit-1 to visit-3: burnout visit-1 (27.2 %), visit-2 (23.8 %), visit-3 (19.3 %) and, satisfaction visit-1 (72.8 %), visit-2 (76.2 %), and visit-3 (80.7 %). ML algorithms could identify burnout patients using the raw ECG data with time-series features based classifier performing better than Ultra Short HRV features based ML classifier model. ConclusionAI based early diagnosis of heart's healthy status using ECG analysis may prevent development of cardiovascular disorder in the long run.

The Evaluation of a Mindful Coaching Programme to Reduce Burnout in Social Workers in Hong Kong-A Pilot Study.

Social work professionals experience high levels of burnout, emotional exhaustion, and secondary traumatic stress (STS). This paper reports the findings of a pilot test of the Burn-Not-Out programme that aimed to reduce social workers' burnout, STS, and depressive symptoms and to enhance compassion satisfaction (CS), using the mixed methods evaluation methodology. Hong Kong social workers participated in the programme between December 2023 and March 2024 and completed pre- and post-programme self-administered online surveys including the Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), healthy alongside self-constructed questions on boundary setting, and post-programme online focus group discussions. The results from 94 paired surveys revealed a concerning mental health profile of the participants at baseline, and, after programme participation, there were statistically significant reductions in burnout (Cohen's d = 0.73) and depressive symptoms (Cohen's d = 0.57) among the participants. The participants in the focus group reported that they valued the programme's emphasis on healthy boundaries, one-on-one coaching, and the sense of being cared for, which contributed to their mental health improvement. This study highlights the urgent need for more research on the role of psychological capital in social workers' resilience and calls for more empirical systemic interventions that can promote social workers' mental wellness, with sustainable policies that ensure manageable workloads and adequate workplace support.

Psychoeducation as burnout prevention for Hungarian teachers

The aim of this study is to examine the role of psychoeducation in preventing burnout among Hungarian teachers. Psychoeducation is a structured method of delivering professional information, combining elements of education, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and grouptherapy, with the goal of developing coping strategies to maintain health and ensure therapeutic collaboration. As part of the research, a 30-hour training program was developed and implemented with two groups, consisting of kindergarten and special education teachers (N=35). The core components of the training included self-awareness exercises, autogenic training techniques, and conflict management strategies. Changes in participants' burnout levels, psychological immune systems, coping methods, and perceived social support were assessed using pre- and post-training questionnaires (Maslach Burnout Inventory Educator Survey (MBI-ES), Oláh’s Psychological Immune System Survey, Coping Methods Questionnaire, MOS SSS-H Social Support Questionnaire, and Mental Health Test). A significant reduction in burnout was observed. The findings support previous research indicating that psychoeducation can effectively reduce stress and burnout, though its effectiveness may depend on various factors, such as the length and intensity of the program, as well as participants' motivation and commitment. Future research should involve larger sample sizes and longitudinal designs to assess the long-term benefits of psychoeducational interventions more accurately for teacher burnout.

Interventions reduce burnout among nurses and improve patients’ safety: Systematic review

Background: There is conflicting data regarding the kinds, amounts, lengths, and methods of burnout therapies, as well as how clinical nurses rate their own burnout. The purpose of this study was to assess clinical nurses' burnout interventions. Method: This study examines the benefits of burnout reduction strategies for clinical nurses through a comprehensive review. We followed the PRISMA guidelines' suggestions. In order to obtain results that appropriately represented the effects of burnout therapies, we selectively included research published between 2019 and 2024. A work written entirely in English. Search engines from the Cochrane Library, CINAHL, PubMed, and Scopus were used. Result: Six studies were considered in this systematic review, of which two were interventional studies and four were randomized controlled trials. There were studies done in China, Turkey, Iran, Spain, and Saudi Arabia. A workshop on burnout prevention, stress-coping and cognitive behavioral therapy, emotional freedom strategies, emotional regulation training, and a mindfulness training program are some of the interventions that are used. Among the burnout metrics employed were Pines &amp; Aronson, MBI, and ProQoL. There were 337 nurses in all in the interventional groups and 324 in the control groups. Conclusion: Burnout was successfully decreased by a mindfulness training program, emotional freedom techniques, emotional regulation training, stress-coping and cognitive behavioral therapy, and a burnout prevention course.

Correction of professional burnout of health workers in the process of mindfulness-based training

Background. The article reviews the problem of testing the in-person version of the burnout reduction program "OsNOVA" for health workers.The aim of the work. To present the results of the program immediately after its completion and to study the sustainability of the effect.Materials and methods. As part of the program testing, 49 doctors and nurses were interviewed. The following methods were used: Maslach Burnout Inventory; Lazarus and Folkman Inventory of Coping Strategies; Beck Depression Inventory; Perceived Stress Scale 10; Short Form 12 questionnaire; mindfulness questionnaires.Results. It was found that when implementing a program to reduce the level of professional burnout in medical workers, held in-person, there is a statistically significant decrease in those subjects whose burnout was initially high. This is accompanied by an increase in mindfulness (primarily such components as Non-judgmentalism, Observation and Awareness of Actions), productive coping strategies. Health workers with a relatively low level of burnout had an improvement in a number of indicators reflecting the burnout level, as well as an increase in the quality of life. The effect achieved by the program persisted for at least three months after the end of its active part.Conclusion. The "OsNOVA" program in an in-person format can be used to prevent professional burnout of health workers. Additional work is planned for its further improvement.

The effectiveness of brief workplace compassion-focussed training in improving wellbeing of stressed school employees

Australian teachers and school employees report high levels of stress-related mental health problems. Previous theory and research show that workplace training in strategies to manage stress can improve organisational productivity as well as employee wellbeing. Theory suggests that self-compassion strategies may produce better outcomes, than standard cognitive behavioural training interventions, due to activation of self-soothing. This pilot randomised controlled trial evaluated whether inclusion of a brief compassion-focussed therapy (CFT) training workshop was more effective in reducing stress-related mental health problems of school employees, than the standard professional development (PD) workshop that incorporated cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness strategies. School employees (103) were recruited and randomly allocated to either the standard PD alone or to also participate in a brief CFT workshop. There were very large reductions in burnout and clinically significant improvements in mental health problems under both conditions. The results provide preliminary evidence that CFT-enhanced training improves secondary traumatic stress and compassion satisfaction; further research needs to be conducted with a larger sample. These results may also be relevant to other occupations with a high emotional load. JEL Classification: I310

Online Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Healthcare Professionals: A Scoping Review.

Healthcare professionals work in challenging environments with extended working hours and excessive workloads to provide high-quality care. However, they hardly get the time to care for themselves. Online mindfulness-based interventions-which are not restricted by time or location-can be a powerful strategy to help healthcare professionals. This scoping review aims to explore the current evidence about online mindfulness-based interventions for healthcare professionals. A scoping review was conducted. A literature search was conducted to retrieve articles published between October 2016 and March 2023 in seven databases, including backward and forward citation tracking from the included articles. Among 1,278 articles retrieved, 33 met the criteria for review. Two-thirds of the studies utilized commercialized mindfulness programs (n = 22). Duration of the mindfulness interventions varied from 1 week to 4 months, and half of the studies used audio-guided programs. Online mindfulness-based intervention studies were targeted to reduce burnout (n = 26), and the majority reported reduction in burnout (n = 18). Most studies used individual audio-guided programs that warrant the use of diverse delivery methods such as video media, simulation, and virtual reality for interactions in the future. Although the literature has accumulated evidence for commercialized online mindfulness-based interventions, further studies are needed to develop and test tailored interventions for healthcare professionals.

Burnout Reduction Strategies Using Mobile-Based Applications: The Creation and Development of the SANE Well App.

Sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs) provide specialized medical forensic care to survivors of sexual assault, often working in stressful conditions, with routine exposure to the traumatic experiences of their patients. SANEs experience high levels of both vicarious trauma and burnout. The purpose of this article was to describe the development of a SANE support application, accessible to all SANEs, that utilizes self-care and positive coping strategies to enhance SANE resilience and thereby reduce burnout. The conceptual framework for the SANE support application was psychological first aid, an evidence-informed, manualized intervention to assist individuals in the immediate aftermath of exposure to potentially traumatic events. Focus groups with SANEs informed the content of the application named "SANE Well." SANE Well delivers these helpful coping elements within an easy-to-use, mobile platform, at no cost. User testing during two SANE clinical skills laboratory trainings revealed the app had smooth and efficient functionality and meets its intended goals without unnecessary complexities. There is an urgent need for SANEs to protect their well-being while they care for individuals who have experienced sexual assault. The SANE Well application offers a novel way to provide and encourage positive coping strategies for nurses to reduce burnout.

Balint groups: an effective tool for improving health professionals’ perceived well-being

BackgroundPhysician burnout is a common problem that negatively impacts their well-being and patient care. Balint groups (BGs) deal with doctor-patient relationships. Previous studies that have demonstrated the positive effects of BGs are descriptive and based on small sample sizes. This study aims to evaluate the perceptions of health professionals who participated in BGs, determine the impact of BGs on their personal and professional well-being, and identify the factors related to these positive outcomes.MethodsOn January and February 2023 the authors have distributed a questionnaire to 142 healthcare providers in a conference and internet networks. Most respondents were family physicians.ResultsParticipation in BGs is seen to have a positive impact on healthcare professionals’ perceived well-being and professional development. Respondents who had participated in the BG reported a reduction in burnout, increased empathy, and enhanced professional identity and relationships with patients and colleagues. The study also highlighted the importance of duration of participation in BG, with attendance longer than 5 years linked to significantly more positive outcomes compared to less than 1 year. In a logistic regression analysis two factors were significantly associated with self-reported well-being: attending BGs for more than five years and perceiving BGs as a means of relieving burnout.ConclusionsThe findings suggest that medical organizations should encourage the regular availability of BGs to support physicians’ well-being.

Professional Burnout and Career Choice Regret in Urology Residents.

High rates of professional burnout and career choice regret among urology residents may increase professional dissatisfaction, shorten career longevity, and exacerbate urology workforce shortages. Understanding the prevalence of and risk factors for burnout may help develop interventions. Up to 48% of contemporary U.S. urology residents experience burnout symptoms, including up to 70% of second-year residents. Among overlapping personal, professional, institutional, and lifestyle risk factors, barriers to accessing medical and mental health care are frequently cited as an important association in residents. Limited intervention studies suggest that providing basic needs, such as on-call meals, and facilitating physical wellness and social engagement among residents may result in sustained reductions in burnout. Urology residents continue to experience high rates of burnout and career choice regret among medical specialties. Evidence-based interventions and sustainable policies that address primary risk factors are urgently needed.

Digital Mindfulness Training for Burnout Reduction in Physicians: A Clinician-Driven Approach (Preprint)

Digital Mindfulness Training for Burnout Reduction in Physicians: A Clinician-Driven Approach (Preprint)

Positive Leadership within Breast Imaging: Impact on Burnout, Intent to Leave, and Engagement.

Background High rates of provider burnout and turnover, as well as staffing shortages, are creating crises within radiology departments. Identifying ways to support health care workers, such as the Positively Energizing Leadership program, is important during these ongoing crises. Purpose To identify the relationship between leadership behaviors and workplace climate and health care worker outcomes (ie, burnout, intent to leave, and engagement) and to determine whether the positive leadership program could improve workplace climate and health care worker outcomes. Materials and Methods This prospective study involved two parts. First, a web-based survey was administered to faculty and staff in a breast imaging unit of a large academic medical center in February 2021 to identify relationships between leadership behaviors and workplace climate and health care worker outcomes. Second, a web-based survey was administered in February 2023, following the implementation of a positive leadership program, to determine improvement in engagement and reduction of burnout and intent to leave since 2021. Multiple regression, the Sobel test, Pearson correlation, and the t test were used, with a conservative significance level of P < .001. Results The sample consisted of 88 respondents (response rate, 95%) in 2021 and 85 respondents (response rate, 92%) in 2023. Leadership communication was associated with a positive workplace climate (β = 0.76, P < .001) and a positive workplace climate was associated with improved engagement (β = 0.53, P < .001), reduction in burnout (β = -0.42, P < .001), and reduction in intent to leave (β = -0.49, P < .001). Following a 2-year positive leadership program, improved perceptions were observed for leadership communication (pretest mean, 4.59 ± 1.51 [SD]; posttest mean, 5.80 ± 1.01; t = 5.97, P < .001), workplace climate (pretest mean, 5.09 ± 1.43; posttest mean, 5.77 ± 1.11; t = 3.35, P < .001), and engagement (pretest mean, 5.27 ± 1.20, posttest mean, 5.68 ± 0.96; t = 2.50, P < .01), with a reduction in burnout (pretest mean, 2.69 ± 0.94; posttest mean, 2.18 ± 0.74; t = 3.50, P < .001) and intent to leave (pretest mean, 3.12 ± 2.23; posttest mean, 2.56 ± 1.84; t = 1.78, P < .05). Conclusion After implementation of a positive leadership program in a radiology department breast imaging unit, burnout and intention to leave decreased among health care workers, while engagement increased. © RSNA, 2024 See also the editorial by Thrall in this issue.

The Association of Psychotherapy With Burnout, Depression, and Measures of Well-Being in Residents and Fellows: A Pilot Study.

Resident physicians experience high rates of burnout and depression but rarely prioritize their well-being or seek mental health care. The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education mandated that training programs prioritize resident wellness and emotional and mental health to ensure readily available and accessible mental health care. To help meet that requirement and circumvent barriers to accessing care, the University of California San Diego Healer Education Assessment & Referral (HEAR) Program offers residents and fellows short-term therapy for coping with challenges that threaten their well-being. This report describes the results of a pilot study designed to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of the HEAR Program's resident therapy program. The cohort included residents and fellows who completed at least 1 postbaseline assessment from January to May 2022. Measures of fulfillment, burnout, self-compassion, quality of life, depression, and suicidal ideation were assessed and compared before and up to 12 weeks after enrollment. Of the 39 residents who consented to participation, 30 completed at least 1 postbaseline assessment. Most outcomes improved after therapy, with significant increases in fulfillment (mean [SE] coefficient, 0.24 [0.08]; z score, 2.86; P = .004), self-compassion (mean [SE] coefficient, 0.37 [0.07]; z score, 5.72; P < .001), and quality of life ( P < .001) and significant reductions in burnout (Stanford burnout scale: mean [SE] coefficient, -0.27 [0.07]; z score, -4.01; P < .001; single-item burnout scale: mean [SE] coefficient, -0.34 [0.08]; z score, -4.37; P < .001) and depression severity (mean [SE] coefficient, -1.08 [0.25]; z score, -4.36; P < .001). This pilot study noted improvements in fulfillment, compassion, quality of life, and function, as well as reductions in burnout and depression severity, among resident physicians. Future studies in larger cohorts are needed to validate these findings and inform further optimization of this program.

Academic performance, emotional intelligence, and academic burnout: A cross-sectional study of a mediational effect in nursing students

BackgroundCourse failure arises as the ultimate result of students' declining academic performance in the face of high course demands. It can eventually lead to dropout and academic dissatisfaction. Emotional intelligence may play an essential role in decreasing the emotional effects of stress, such as academic burnout in nursing students. However, emotional intelligence is conceptualized multidimensionally, and each of its attributes may have a different impact on burnout reduction. ObjectiveTo explore the dimensions of emotional intelligence that may mediate the association between academic performance (course failure) and academic burnout in nursing students. DesignThe design was cross-sectional, with survey-based data collection. SettingsEducational setting, undergraduate nursing students at a private university in Metropolitan Lima, Peru. Participants154 students (77.3 % female) with a mean age of 25.9 years. MethodsA multiple mediation strategy was used, using the Wong-Law Emotional Intelligence Scale. Four emotional intelligence attributes (self-emotional appraisal, others' emotional appraisal, use of emotion, and regulation of emotion) were evaluated in the relationship of failed courses (dichotomous variable: yes/no) and academic burnout (single item based on physical and emotional exhaustion). The structural equation modeling framework was used. ResultsCourse failure (academic performance) positively affects academic burnout. Regulation of emotion is the only dimension of emotional intelligence mediating between course failure and academic burnout. The proportion of the mediating effect was 0.315, while the rest was around zero. Statistically significant gender differences were detected concerning burnout, with men scoring moderately higher than women. ConclusionsThe results indicate that the regulation of emotion may have a relevant role in reducing burnout compared to other emotional intelligence attributes. These regulatory skills are important for developing health care and positive patient relationships. Interventions focused on the regulatory characteristics of emotions and distinguishing different attributes of emotional intelligence while exploring its mediating effect should be strengthened. These implications are linked to the growing call to include EI in university education.

Job Insecurity, Burnout and Turnover Intention: The Mediating Role of Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction in Non Civil Servants Personnel

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of Job Insecurity and Burnout on Turnover Intention while considering Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction as a potential mediator. The methodology employed in this research was quantitative, utilizing Structural Equation Model-Partial Least Square (SEM-PLS) analysis. A sample size of 113 respondents was selected using simple random sampling. The findings of this study demonstrate that heightened levels of job insecurity and burnout among employees lead to an increase in turnover intention within the organization. However, it was observed that increased satisfaction with basic psychological needs does not necessarily correlate with decreased turnover intention. Furthermore, the reduction in job insecurity and burnout does not consistently result in enhanced satisfaction of basic psychological needs among employees. Notably, basic psychological needs satisfaction did not mediate the relationship between job insecurity, burnout, and turnover intention in this study. Recommendations derived from this study suggest that future research endeavors should explore and refine the research framework across different sectors, thereby scrutinizing basic psychological needs satisfaction as a mediating variable. Expanding the respondent pool size is also advocated to yield more generalized findings.