SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Perception of Burnout and Impact on Academic Hospitalists During Covid-19

Pdf Summary

This qualitative study examined burnout among academic hospitalists at Froedtert Hospital and the Medical College of Wisconsin during the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors noted that hospitalist burnout is already higher than in the general U.S. workforce, and that organizational stressors and the pandemic may have worsened it. To explore this, 20 physicians participated in five focus groups, along with semi-structured interviews. Discussions focused on contributors to burnout, COVID-19’s impact on wellness, and how hospitalists perceived their roles during the pandemic. Sessions were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using Taguette to identify recurring themes.<br /><br />Several key themes emerged. Common burnout contributors included exhaustion, lack of control, bureaucratic hurdles, and work-life balance strain. Participants described feeling continuously understaffed, overwhelmed by extra coverage, and burdened by administrative tasks that reduced time for patient care. Lack of control over decision-making was also seen as a major driver of burnout. During COVID-19, additional themes included emotional stress and patient skepticism. Physicians worried about bringing infection home to family members, and some reported frustration and reduced empathy toward patients who refused vaccination.<br /><br />Overall, the study found that COVID-19 intensified physician burnout by increasing workload, reducing efficiency, and forcing faculty to cover for ill colleagues. The findings suggest that improving work control, reducing inefficient tasks, and addressing staffing challenges may help lower burnout among academic hospitalists.

Asset Subtitle

Komal Khoja

Meta Tag

Author List Brian W. Quinn, Hammad Muhammad, Komal Khoja, Marie Luebke, Mohamed T. Abdelrahim, Parsia Vazirnia, Pinky Jha, Sanjay Bhandari, Trisha Jethwa

Category Research

Concept Academic Hospitalist

Concept Burnout

Concept COVID-19 Pandemic

Concept Work-related Stress

Concept Loss of Control

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Medical College of Wisconsin

Presenting Author Komal Khoja

Track Quality Improvement

Keywords

physician burnout

academic hospitalists

COVID-19 pandemic

burnout contributors

workload stress

work-life balance

staffing shortages

administrative burden

emotional stress

patient skepticism

Academic Hospitalist

Burnout

COVID-19 Pandemic

Work-related Stress

Loss of Control