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Extra caregiving duties heighten risk for burnout among physician mothers

Physician mothers who cared for seriously ill relatives in addition to their children had significantly higher rates of burnout and mood or anxiety disorders, according to research published in JAMA Internal Medicine.

“Many physician mothers care for their children as well as their patients,” Veronica Yank, MD, assistant professor in the division of general internal medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, and colleagues wrote. “Some also care for a child, spouse, parent, friend, or others with a major health problem, illness, or disability.”

Yank and colleagues investigated how additional caregiving responsibilities affect women’s health, well-being, practice and career longevity. The researchers posted a survey online to the Physicians Moms Group. The post was viewed by approximately 16,000 members and 5,613 (35%) completed the survey.

The survey asked questions about caregiving responsibilities, mental health, risky behaviors and career dissatisfaction. The specific questions included:

• “During the last year, did you provide regular care or assistance to a friend or family member with a serious health problem, long-term illness or disability?”
• “Have you ever had a mood or anxiety disorder?”
• “How often have you used or do you use the following: prescription drugs for nonmedical reasons/illegal drugs (excluding marijuana)/marijuana?”
• “Are you generally satisfied with your career?”

The researchers used the Mini Z Burnout Survey to identify burnout.

A total of 918 respondents (16.4%) reported having additional caregiving responsibilities, including caring for ill parents (48.3%), children or infants (16.9%), partners (7.7%) and other relatives (28.6%). About 17% cared for more than one person.

Physician mothers with additional caregiving responsibilities were significantly more likely to have mood or anxiety disorders (adjusted RR = 1.21; 95% CI, 1.04-1.42) and burnout (aRR = 1.25; 95% CI, 1.06-1.46) compared with physician mothers without extra responsibilities.

Physicians with and without additional caregiving responsibilities demonstrated similar rates of career satisfaction (9.5% vs. 7.5%), risky drinking (16.6% vs. 17.7%) and substance abuse (2.8% vs. 3%).

“Our findings highlight the additional caregiving responsibilities of some women physicians and the potential consequences of these additional responsibilities for their behavioral health and careers,” Yank and colleagues concluded.

“To reduce burnout and improve workforce retention, health care systems should develop new approaches to identify and address the needs of these physician mothers,” they added. – by Alaina Tedesco

Disclosures: Yank reports receiving grants from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institute on Aging and Mount Zion Health Fund. Please see study for all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.