redmed gets some really nasty magazines. They have names like “American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,” and have pictures of parts on the front cover. This morning, she left one open for me to peruse. The article is “Burnout, depression, and career satisfaction: Cross-sectional study of obstetrics and gynecology residents.”
Objective
This study was undertaken to measure career satisfaction among obstetrics and gynecology residents and assess its relationship to burnout, depression, and malpractice concerns.
Study design
A 63-item, anonymous, self-administered survey was distributed to residents at 23 randomly selected obstetric and gynecologic residency programs in the United States. The outcome measures included the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey, the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale, and perceptions of malpractice and career satisfaction.
Results
Eighty-three percent of the residents were either “very or somewhat satisfied” with their career choice. The majority (89.8%) showed evidence of moderate burnout and 34.2% were considered depressed. Ninety-six percent were concerned about malpractice with 35% pursuing fellowship solely because of malpractice concerns. Residents dissatisfied with their career choice were twice as likely to be depressed (30% vs 55%, P = .03). Both emotional exhaustion (P < .0001) and consideration of fellowship because of malpractice (P < .0001) were strongly predictive of diminishing career satisfaction.
Conclusion
Resident career satisfaction was inversely correlated with burnout and depression, which were more prevalent than expected. Overall, residents were satisfied with their career choice, but also negatively influenced by malpractice concerns.
Also of note is the fact that “Compared with other specalties, OB-GYNs were 30th among 31 specialties in terms of career satisfaction.”
Why is this the case, you might ask? To hear the old-guard tell it, it’s because kids these days don’t know the value of a hard day’s work … and standards aren’t what they used to be. I’m sure the residents would all be happier if we were back in the days when work-weeks weren’t limited to 100 hours … and work-days weren’t limited to 24 hours. Things were apparently much better back then.
At least, the ones who didn’t kill themselves in training would be happier. That’s one statistic that’s actually gotten better over the past few years.
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