Burnout Among United States Uveitis Specialists-An Assessment of Prevalence and Contributing Factors.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of burnout among United States uveitis specialists, identify contributing factors, and propose interventions to reduce risk of burnout.

Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Participants: Uveitis specialists practicing in the United States.

Methods: A survey including questions on respondent demographics, practice patterns, practice infrastructure, as well as a validated tool to measure physician burnout (mini Z 2.0 survey) was sent to the American Uveitis Society and Young Uveitis Society listservs. Multiple logistic regression models using demographic variables and practice-specifics as covariates were used to assess risk factors for burnout.

Main Outcome Measures: Proportion at risk for burnout (mini Z score <40), self-reported metrics of burnout, and contributing factors.

Results: Ninety-five uveitis specialists completed the survey (response rate 43.8%). All respondents dedicated at least 40% of their clinical time toward uveitis patients. Of those practicing an additional ophthalmic subspecialty (including comprehensive ophthalmology), 81% felt uveitis was more stressful than their other subspecialty. Overall, 41% reported varying degrees of burnout. The median mini Z score was 30, with only 9.5% having a score ≥40. Being in a university-based practice (P = .045), feelings of inadequate compensation (P = .002), a regional shortage of uveitis specialists (P = .005), and inadequate support staff (P < .00001) were associated with lower mini Z scores. Mini Z scores did not vary significantly when responses were stratified based on respondent age, years in practice, gender, or whether immunosuppression was independently managed.

Conclusions: Burnout was reported in 41% of surveyed uveitis specialists, with another 49.5% at risk for burnout. Practice-level variables such as adequacy of support staff, perceived adequacy of compensation, practice setting, as well as workforce, shortages impacted burnout risk.