Trends in clinician burnout during COVID-19

Editor's Note

This study led by researchers from Hennepin Healthcare, Minneapolis, Minnesota, finds that clinician burnout and intent to leave increased throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, but rose sharply in late 2021.

In this survey study of 20,627 US clinicians (physicians, residents, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants) in 120 large healthcare organizations, burnout increased throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, reaching its highest levels ever recorded (more than 60%) late in 2021. Intent to leave also reached high levels (more than 40%) late in 2021.

Higher burnout was linked to chaotic workplace environments and persistent lack of control of workload. Lower burnout was associated with efficient teamwork and feeling valued.

Results of this study suggest that a federal surveillance system with real-time analysis of levels of clinician and healthcare worker outcomes could be meaningful in addressing the current state of burnout, dissatisfaction, and potential job loss, the researchers say.