Reducing Burnout and Promoting Health and Wellness Among Medical Students, Residents, and Physicians in Alberta: Protocol for a Cross-Sectional Questionnaire Study

Abstract

Journal of Medical Internet Research - International Scientific Journal for Medical Research, Information and Communication on the Internet #Preprint #PeerReviewMe: Warning: This is a unreviewed preprint. Readers are warned that the document has not been peer-reviewed by expert/patient reviewers or an academic editor, may contain misleading claims, and is likely to undergo changes before final publication, if accepted, or may have been rejected/withdrawn. Readers with interest and expertise are encouraged to sign up as peer-reviewer, if the paper is within an open peer-review period. Please cite this preprint only for review purposes or for grant applications and CVs (if you are the author). Background: Burnout is an increasingly common and insidious phenomenon experienced by workers in many different fields, though is of particular concern amongst physicians and trainees due to the nature of their work. It is estimated that one third of practicing physicians will experience burnout during their career and this rate is expected to continue to increase. Burnout has significant implications, as it has been identified as a contributor to increased medical errors, decreased patient satisfaction, substance use, workforce attrition, and suicide. Objective: This study will evaluate prevalence and impact of burnout on physicians, residents, and medical students. Methods: Quantitative and qualitative data collected through self-administered anonymous online questionnaires will be used in this cross-sectional provincial study design. Data collection tools were developed based on published literature and questions from previously validated instruments. Tools used capture relevant demographic information, mental health status and rates of burnout, as well as factors contributing to both burnout and resilience among respondents. We anticipate a sample size of 777 medical students, 959 residents, and 1961 physicians, to represent the respective ratios of trainees and practicing physicians in the province of Alberta. Results: The results of this study are anticipated in 12 months. It is expected that the results will provide an overview of the prevalence of burnout amongst those training and working in medicine in Alberta, identify contributors to burnout, and help develop interventions aimed at reducing burnout. Conclusions: This study’s aim is to examine burnout prevalence and contributing factors among medical trainees and physicians in Alberta. It is expected that the results will identify and examine individual and organizational practices which contribute to burnout and help develop strategies and interventions focused on mitigating burnout and its sequelae.