WiP Seminar: Nadia Khan

Nadia Khan, MD, MSC
Scientist, Advancing Health
Professor and Head, Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, UBC
Associate Member, School of Population and Public Health, UBC

Physician wellness: Pragmatic research from within

Physician burnout, an occupational syndrome that includes emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a sense of low personal accomplishment, has become prevalent globally since the pandemic. However, less is known about the prevalence, associated factors of burnout and potential organizational solutions for improving physician wellness in BC. We used a mixed methods approach to study physician groups working in Vancouver hospitals, including cross-sectional survey, semi-structured focus groups, and non-randomized pragmatic, quasi-experimental study design to understand the prevalence of physician burnout, the organizational factors associated with burnout, and potential solutions to improving physician wellness.  The Maslach Burnout Inventory for healthcare workers was used as our outcome measure of physician burnout and wellness. The overall prevalence of burnout was 69 per cent with physicians in surgical specialties were more likely to report work-life conflict than those in non-surgical specialties. Focus group analysis revealed that heavy workload and scheduling, frequent interruptions, interdepartmental conflict, and feeling undervalued by leadership were perceived to as organizational drivers of burnout.  During the pandemic, physicians used multiple personal and work-related interventions to improve their wellness.  Organizational factors identified during the focus groups as drivers of burnout were shared with operations leadership within PHC hospitals during the pandemic to effect change.  Post-pandemic survey analysis identified mixed changes in physician wellness.  

This is a hybrid event, you may attend in person or virtually. Please register and indicate your preference.