Burnout Symptoms Present in More Than One in Four Cardiologists

TUESDAY, July 13, 2021 (HealthDay News) — More than one-quarter of cardiologists and fellows-in-training report being burned out, according to a joint opinion from the American College of Cardiology, American Heart Association, European Society of Cardiology, and World Heart Federation; the joint opinion was published online July 13 in four journals, including the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Laxmi S. Mehta, M.D., from The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus, and colleagues assessed clinician well-being and burnout using survey data from 2,274 U.S. cardiologists and fellows-in-training.

The authors note that more than one-quarter of respondents reported being burned out and close to 50 percent were stressed; 23.7 percent reported enjoying their work. Burnout was reported more frequently by women than men. Compared with fellows-in-training and early- or late-career cardiologists, midcareer cardiologists more frequently reported burnout. Burned-out respondents reported more time spent in direct clinical practice. Burned-out respondents were less satisfied with achieving their professional goals or desired financial compensation; they were also less likely to recommend cardiology as a career. Burned-out physicians were less likely to report feeling valued or being treated fairly at work compared with their peers. Among cardiologists, drivers associated with burnout included lack of control over workload, hectic work environment, misalignment of values, and insufficient documentation time.

“Our organizations are joined together in this report to ensure that we create a strong and supportive clinician environment — for our personal well-being and for our families, loved ones, and patients,” a coauthor said in a statement. “Well-being is essential to achieving personal fulfilment and satisfaction in our work.”

One author disclosed having financial interest in GE.

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