In a new study titled “Insights into Burnout Among Optometrists in the United States: Findings from a Nationwide Survey,” researchers Kaleb Abbott, OD, MS, FAAO, and colleagues shed light on a pressing issue within the optometric profession: burnout. Alarmingly, the study found that 60.9% of female optometrists reported experiencing some degree of burnout. That’s compared to just 40.6% of their male counterparts. This disparity highlights a significant concern.
The study surveyed 1,436 optometrists across the U.S. The results revealed that overall, 53.6% of respondents reported symptoms of burnout. These were categorized as mild (61.4%), moderate (30.4%) and severe (8.2%).
Burnout not only affects the well-being of practitioners, but it also has far-reaching implications for patient care and the health care system as a whole. Other authors include Emily Auer, MS; Neda Gioia, OD, CNS, IFMCP, FOWNS; Karen DeLoss, OD, FAAO; Leonard Seibold, MD; and Jennifer Patnaik. The study was done with University of Colorado School of Medicine researchers and was affiliated with the Ocular Wellness and Nutrition Society.
The authors noted earlier studies that show that health care workers in general face burnout at rates nearly twice as high as non-health care workers. But the authors found no studies that looked at burnout specifically among U.S. optometrists.
WHAT HELPS, WHAT HURTS
The findings suggest that several factors contribute to the higher burnout rates among female optometrists. The study identified protective factors, such as having children and a spouse or partner in health care. Both of these were associated with lower burnout rates. Conversely, risk factors included being female, spending more days in the clinic, managing higher patient volumes and using electronic health records (EHR).
Notably, 93.2% of respondents reported using EHR systems, which were linked to increased burnout levels. The authors wrote, “While EHR systems aim to enhance documentation and streamline patient visits, they can also worsen provider burnout. Certain EHR platforms allow patients to directly message providers, which can increase the administrative workload for clinicians.”
The research also highlighted the impact of experience on burnout rates. Mid-career ODs reported higher levels of burnout compared to those with less than five years or more than 30 years of experience. These ODs may be facing the dual challenges of establishing their practices and managing increasing patient demands.
Longer commute times (15 minutes to 59 minutes) were associated with greater burnout than short commute times of under 15 minutes. Interestingly, however, commutes of greater than 60 minutes were also associated with fewer burnout symptoms, Dr. Abbott says.
BURNOUT BY SETTING
The moderate or severe burnout rate among those in a teleoptometry setting was much higher than any other setting, but the number of respondents in that practice setting was also very low. After that, solo practice had the highest percentage of respondents who reported moderate or severe burnout. However, nearly across the spectrum, at least half of the respondents report some level of burnout. See the report’s findings by practice setting below.
PRODUCTIVITY IMPACT
The implications of burnout extend beyond the individual practitioner. The study emphasizes that burnout can lead to increased job turnover and reduced productivity. Furthermore, it can lead to higher rates of medical errors, ultimately compromising patient care. As the authors pointed out, “Burnout adversely affects several aspects of health care, with significant consequences for practitioners, patients and the healthcare system.”
The study’s authors advocate for further research to explore the underlying causes of burnout and effective interventions. They emphasize the importance of fostering supportive work environments and promoting work-life balance to enhance job satisfaction among optometrists. They also suggest identifying some lifestyle modifications that could help. The authors conclude, “Additional research is needed to develop strategies that foster supportive work environments, promote work-life balance and enhance job satisfaction among optometrists. Addressing the disparities in burnout rates between genders will be essential for cultivating a healthier workforce.”
Read the whole study here.
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Photo credit: Perfect Wave
