Joint Commission Study: Female Physicians Suffering Higher Burnout Rates August 10, 2021

A new study published in The Joint Commissions Journal on Quality and Patient Safety shows that female physicians are more likely than male physicians to suffer from work-based burnout.

The study, published this week, surveyed faculty at Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital. Researchers used the Stanford Physician Wellness Survey and a survey of faculty to gauge burnout rates. The survey had a 64% response rate with a slightly higher male faculty response rate. 

Female respondents showed a significantly higher rate of burnout compared to male physicians - 42.4% to 34.4 % - and significantly lower rates of professional fulfillment - 35.1% to 50.4%. The authors identified "multiple culture of wellness factors (perceived appreciation, schedule control, work environment diversity and inclusion) and self-compassion as attenuating the significant relationship between gender and burnout".

You can read the study here (additional purchase may be required).