Burnout in Pediatric Residents: Comparing Brief Screening Questions to the Maslach Burnout Inventory

Kathi J. Kemper, Paria M. Wilson, Alan Schwartz, John D. Mahan, Maneesh Batra, Betty B. Staples, Hiliary McClafferty, Charles J. Schubert, Janet R. Serwint, Megan E. McCabe, Molly Shane, Sharon M. Unti, Sanghamitra Misra, Colin Sox, Violet Borowitcz, Sydney Primis, Ross Myers, Kathy Mason, Miriam Stewart, Lisa ZaoutisOana Tomescu, Charles J. Schubert, Frances Zappalla, Kimberly A. Gifford, Betty B. Staples, Jerry Rushton, Adam Hill, Kim Schneider, Kathleen M. Donnelly, Jordan Watson, Janet R. Serwint, Jerussa Levy, Pam Dietz, Jay Homme, Leah Phillipi, John D. Mahan, Jennifer DiPace, Bridget Voigt, Nicole Paradise Black, Katharine Baker, Priya Garg, Lauren Nassetta, Albina Gogo, Kate Perkins, Jessica Lloyd, Alan Chin, Deborah T. Rana, Joseph Hageman, Jennifer Reese, Amanda Osta, Lisa Gilmer, Tara McKinley, Michelle Stevenson, Hilary M. Haftel, Thomas Saba, Maren Olson, Michael Pitt, Carmen Herrera, Lanier Lopez, Keith Mather, Casey Hester, Stephanie B. Dewar, Sophia Goslings, Maneesh Batra, Grant Syverson, Ann Burke

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: Measuring burnout symptoms is important, but the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) has 22 items. This project compared 3 single-item measures with the MBI and other factors related to burnout.

Methods: Data were analyzed from the 2016 and 2017 Pediatric Resident Burnout-Resilience Study Consortium surveys, which included standard measures of perceived stress, mindfulness, resilience, and self-compassion; the MBI; and the 1- and 2-item screening questions.

Results: In 2016 and 2017, data were collected from 1785/2723 (65%) and 2148/3273 (66%) eligible pediatric residents, respectively. Burnout rates on the MBI were 56% in 2016 and 54% in 2017. The Physician Work Life Study item generated estimates of burnout prevalence of 43% to 49% and, compared with the MBI for 2016 and 2017, had sensitivities of 69% to 72%, specificities of 79% to 82%, positive likelihood ratios of 3.4 to 3.8, and negative likelihood ratios of 0.35 to 0.38. The combination of an emotional exhaustion item and a depersonalization item generated burnout estimates of 53% in both years and, compared with the full MBI, had sensitivities of 85% to 87%, specificities of 84% to 85%, positive likelihood ratios of 5.7 to 6.4, and negative likelihood ratios of 0.18 for both years. Both items were significantly correlated with their parent subscales. The single items were significantly correlated with stress, mindfulness, resilience, and self-compassion.

Conclusions: The 1- and 2-item screens generated prevalence estimates similar to the MBI and were correlated with variables associated with burnout. The 1- and 2-item screens may be useful for pediatric residency training programs tracking burnout symptoms and response to interventions.
Original languageAmerican English
Pages (from-to)251-255
JournalAcademic Pediatrics
Volume19
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2019

Keywords

  • Burnout, Professional/diagnosis*
  • Burnout, Professional/epidemiology
  • Burnout, Professional/psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Internship and Residency*
  • Male
  • Mass Screening
  • Pediatricians/psychology*
  • Pediatricians/statistics & numerical data
  • Pediatrics?education*
  • Prevalence
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Surveys and Questionnaires

Disciplines

  • Pediatrics
  • Interprofessional Education

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