Main Session
Sep
27
PQA 02 - Pediatric Cancer, Sarcoma and Cutaneous Tumors, Medical Education & Professional Development, and Health Services Research
Presenter(s)
Nancy Zhou, MD - Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
N. J. Zhou1, H. Cai1, M. R. Girvigian1, J. Zhang2, and X. S. Liu1,3; 1Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 2Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, 3University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Purpose/Objective(s):
Burnout among physicians is associated with decreased job satisfaction and increased workforce instability. This pilot study evaluated burnout among radiation oncologists and examined changes in job perceptions during the transition from training to independent practice.Materials/Methods:
A 19-item survey was distributed to radiation oncologists and residents within an integrated healthcare system. Responses were collected over a four-week period (October 10, 2024 to November 7, 2024) and assessed demographics, COVID-19 impacts, remote work, stress, burnout, and job satisfaction. Responses were anonymized and analyzed using qualitative and quantitative methods, including Spearman’s rank correlation tests.Results:
Twenty-seven responses were received (20 attendings, 7 residents), corresponding to response rates of 74% and 88%, respectively. 65% of respondents were =45 years old and 77% were male. Median burnout score was 6 (IQR 4–7) on a 1–10 scale (1=none, 10=intense). Burnout was slightly higher among residents (6, IQR 5–6) compared with attendings (5.5, IQR 4–7), and among females (6, IQR 5.5–8) compared with males (5, IQR 3.5–7), with similar scores (6, IQR 4-7) across age groups (=45 vs. >45 years). Median stress score was 7 (IQR 5–8) on a 1-10 scale (1=no stress, 10=enormous stress). Higher stress was strongly correlated with burnout (?=0.66, p<0.001). Burnout was moderately associated with perceptions of a more challenging work environment (?=0.53, p<0.01). There was an inverse correlation between burnout with salary satisfaction (?=–0.51, p<0.05) and no significant association with satisfactory work benefits (?=–0.24, p=0.27). Among respondents with higher burnout (score =5), 36% reported thoughts of leaving their jobs. 83% of residents reported no change (score=5) in job satisfaction over the past five years. In contrast, early-career attendings (=10 years in practice) reported increased satisfaction (median 9.5, IQR 6.5–10), whereas late-career attendings (>10 years) reported a decline (median 4, IQR 4–4.5).Conclusion:
Moderate burnout is present among both residents and attending radiation oncologists. Residents and female physicians reported slightly higher burnout, while levels were similar across age groups. Burnout was associated with stress, workplace challenges, and lower salary satisfaction. Job satisfaction trends over time differed by career stage, remaining stable among residents, improving among early-career attendings, and declining substantially among late-career attendings. Targeted strategies addressing workplace stressors, challenges, and compensation may support physician well-being across all career stages.