The Southern Medical Journal (SMJ) is the official, peer-reviewed journal of the Southern Medical Association. It has a multidisciplinary and inter-professional focus that covers a broad range of topics relevant to physicians and other healthcare specialists.

SMJ // Article

Original Article

Burnout and Resilience Domains across Gender and Race/Ethnicity in Health Care: Findings from the University of Utah Health System

Authors: Fares Qeadan, PhD, Ben Tingey, MSTAT, Abdulkhaliq Barbaar, MSW, MBA, Erica Rojas, MPA, Mindy J. Vanderloo, PhD, Amy Locke, MD, Ellen Morrow, MD, MS, Jake Van Epps, PhD, Christopher Fairbank, PhD, José E. Rodríguez, MD

Abstract

Objectives: Burnout in the healthcare workforce is a growing concern in the United States, with varying levels reported across different demographic groups. This study aimed to explore burnout and resilience domains among healthcare workers, focusing on gender and race/ethnicity differences within the University of Utah Health System.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted at the University of Utah Hospitals and Clinics using Press Ganey’s validated burnout and resiliency measure. The survey, completed by 9023 participants in October 2019, assessed key outcomes related to workplace well-being, including engagement, resilience, activation, decompression, safety, stress, and burnout. Data were analyzed using χ2 and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests and multivariable logistic regression, with further stratification by gender and race/ethnicity.

Results: The study found significant variations in burnout and resilience across gender and race/ethnicity. Women reported higher levels of activation, stress, and burnout, and lower levels of perceived safety compared with men. Racial/ethnic differences were also observed, with non-Hispanic White and Other racial groups reporting higher burnout levels, whereas Hispanic respondents demonstrated higher resilience and decompression. Intersectional analysis revealed lower activation levels among men across most racial/ethnic groups and higher resilience and decompression among non-Hispanic White men compared with women.

Conclusions: This study reveals significant variations in burnout and resilience across gender and race/ethnicity within the healthcare workforce, emphasizing the need for nuanced and tailored approaches to enhance well-being in a diverse healthcare workforce.

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