Highlights
- •Burnout rate is higher among female general surgeons compared to male surgeons.
- •Female surgeons feel having significantly less COS.
- •Female surgeons have significantly lower levels of PF.
- •Sleep-related impairment is also a strong predictor of burnout.
- •The relationship between gender and burnout is fully mediated by PF and COS.
Abstract
Background
Prior research has revealed a gender gap in physician burnout. Our study attempts
to elucidate the cause for the differences in burnout among male and female general
surgeons (GS).
Methods
The study is based on a sample of 431 GS from 11 healthcare organizations participating
in the Physician Wellness Academic Consortium.
Results
Female (N = 154) and male (N = 277) GS significantly differed in burnout (46% vs 33%,
p = 0.008) and professional fulfillment (PF), (37% vs 56% p < 0.001). Male surgeons
reported a higher sense of control over their schedule (COS) (5.0 vs 4.2, p = 0.001).
Mediation analyses showed that the gender effect on burnout was fully mediated through
PF and COS.
Conclusions
This study demonstrates that the observed differences in burnout between female and
male GS are due to their differences in PF and COS. Longitudinal research is needed
to determine whether interventions targeting PF and COS may mitigate burnout among
female GS.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: September 02, 2021
Accepted:
August 26,
2021
Received in revised form:
August 6,
2021
Received:
June 7,
2021
Identification
Copyright
© 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
