The work environment and hospitalist work well-being and burnout

Background

Hospital medicine is the largest growing specialty in the United States. It is important to understand factors that are related to burnout and work well-being (WWB), both predictors of workforce retention.

Objective

To examine the relationship between work environment factors and hospitalist burnout and WWB.

Methods

An online cross-sectional survey was completed by hospitalists in July–October 2020. Burnout was assessed using the Mini-Z burnout scale and the Abbreviated Maslach Burnout Inventory. WWB was assessed using the Work Well-Being Scale. Work structure variables included hours worked per week, frustration at work, safety level of clinical workload, lack of control over schedule, lack of control over daily work, continuity of patient care, and ability to optimize license. The current desire to practice medicine was also examined.

Results

Eight-eight hospitalists participated. There were statistically significant differences between levels of safety of workload (F(2,85) = 9.70, p ≤.005), frustration at work (F(2,85) = 12.29, p ≤.005), control over schedule (F(2,85) = 3.17, p = .04), control over daily work (F(2,85) = 6.17, p = .003), and desire to practice medicine (F(2,85) = 42.34, p = <.005) with WWB. There were statistically significant associations between the presence of burnout and the safety of workload (χ² = 8.167, p = .017), frustration at work (χ² = 15.29, p = .005), control over daily work (χ² = 12.48, p = .002), and desire to practice medicine (χ² = 7.12, p = .03). WWB was positively associated with years as a hospitalist (r = .249, p = .02).

Conclusion

Work environment factors are associated with WWB and burnout. Modifiable work environment factors may offer a point of intervention for reducing burnout and enhancing WWB among hospitalists.