Work Environment, Burnout, and Intent to Leave Current Job Among Cardiologists and Cardiology Health Care Workers: Results From the National Coping With COVID Survey

Abstract

Background Little is known about factors contributing to burnout and intent to leave in cardiologists and other cardiology health care workers. Methods and Results The Coping With COVID survey assessed work conditions, burnout, and intent to leave among physicians, nurses, advanced practice providers, and other clinical staff (OCS) from April 2020 to December 2020. Single‐item measures assessed work conditions, burnout (emotional exhaustion), and intent to leave. Multilevel logistic regression examined work life variables' relationships to burnout among role types and feeling valued as a mediator. Open‐ended comments analyzed via grounded theory contributed to a conceptual model. Coping With COVID was completed by 1199 US cardiology health care workers (354 physician/520 nurses/198 advanced practice providers/127 OCS). Nurses were most likely to report burnout (59% nurses, 57% OCS, 46% advanced practice providers, 40% physicians, P <0.0001). Workload correlated with burnout in all groups (adjusted odds ratios [aORs], 4.1–17.4; P s<0.005), whereas anxiety/depression related to burnout in all except OCS (aORs, 3.9–8.3; P s≤0.001). Feeling valued was related to lower burnout in most groups. Intent to leave was common (23%–45%) and was lower in physicians and advanced practice providers who felt valued (aORs, 0.26 and 0.22, respectively; P s<0.05). Burnout was highest for nurses in practice 16 to 20 years, and intent to leave was highest for OCS in practice 16 to 20 years. Themes contributing to burnout included personal and patient safety, leadership, and financial issues. Conclusions Burnout was prevalent among cardiology health care workers and highest in nurses and OCS. Addressing factors associated with burnout in different role types may improve work life sustainability for all cardiology health care workers.