Hepatology providers report significant burnout during COVID-19 pandemic

More than 40% of hepatology providers said burnout during COVID-19 negatively impacted their well-being, including work fulfillment and satisfaction, according to a presentation at The Liver Meeting Digital Experience.

More than 40% of hepatology providers said burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted their well-being, including work fulfillment and satisfaction, according to a presentation at The Liver Meeting Digital Experience.

“Among those surveyed, burnout is more common in younger respondents or those who have practiced less than 10 years,” Mark W. Russo, MD, transplant hepatologist and gastroenterologist at Atrium Health-Wake Forest in Charlotte, North Carolina, said during the presentation. ‘Those who reported burnout feel less supported by their leadership. Compared to MDs, [advanced practice providers (APPs)] reported higher burnout, greater emotional exhaustion, feeling less happy.”

From February to March 2021, Russo and colleagues sent out 2,803 electronic surveys to U.S. American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) members including adult and pediatric hepatologists, gastroenterologists and APPs who practiced hepatology.

Of the surveys sent out, 230 were completed, of which 107 were adult transplant hepatologists, 43 were adult general hepatologists, 14 were adult gastroenterologists, 12 were pediatric hepatologists, 45 were APPs and nine classified themselves as other. The survey questions dealt with the effect of the pandemic on clinical practice and emotional well-being.

Results showed 124 respondents said they switched to primarily telemedicine at some point during the pandemic. In addition, 69 respondents said they experienced a decrease in compensation and 92 reported a decrease in staff. There were 21 respondents who closed their practices, according to Russo.

Russo said 21% of respondents reported it was “not at all true or somewhat true” that they felt worthwhile at work, 16% reported that work was “satisfying” and 19% reported that they “contributed in ways they value most.” Additionally, 16% reported it was “very or completely true” that during the past 2 weeks before the survey they “experienced a sense of dread,” while 19% reported being “physically or emotionally exhausted at work” during the same time frame.

According to Russo, 100 respondents reported experiencing burnout, with too many bureaucratic tasks, lack of time to take care of themselves and not enough time to spend with family and friends among the common reasons.

Russo said burnout was more common among those aged younger than 56 years, women, APPs, transplant hepatologists and those who self-reported as white.

“The most common way that the AASLD can help that was identified across all subgroups was to expand mentoring and networking to virtual platforms,” Russo concluded. “This was followed by facilitating virtual discussions among colleagues on solutions to address challenges in clinical practice resulting from the pandemic. Other ways AASLD could help included facilitating virtual support groups to address ways to cope with burnout and expand eligibility for bridge awards.”