Global survey on wellness and burnout-related workplace risk factors among physical and rehabilitation medicine physicians
Aaron Jay Yang1, Muhammad Tawab Khalil2, Maria Gabriella Ceravolo3, Rochelle Dy4
1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
2Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Combined Military Hospital, Gilgit, Pakistan
3Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine - Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
4Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
Keywords: Burnout, physical and rehabilitation medicine, resilience, well-being, work-life balance.
Abstract
Objectives: This study aims to explore perceptions of well-being and burnout-related risk factors among Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM) physicians and residents worldwide using a multidimensional framework.
Patients and methods: An international cross-sectional survey was conducted between April 24th, 2023 and May 28th, 2023 and disseminated through the International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (ISPRM). The questionnaire assessed demographic and professional characteristics, workplace-related wellness, perceived importance of well-being domains, and resilience using the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS). Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with perceived workplace strain and resilience.
Results: A total of 358 respondents from 80 countries participated. Of all participants, 160 were male and 198 were female, with an age range of 28 to 64 years. The following workplace-related aspects were the main sources of complaint: perceived workload inequity (20%), inadequate rest opportunities (21.2%), unfair distribution of responsibilities (20.1%), workplace harassment (26.8%), and work-life imbalance (15.9%). Female physicians reported significantly higher levels of workplace strain across multiple domains, while early-career clinicians showed greater willingness to change the workplace. Resilience levels were usually moderate to high, with 62.5% of participants demonstrating average resilience and 10.9% high resilience. Male sex and older age were independently associated with higher resilience.
Conclusion: Burnout risk in PRM is primarily driven by organizational and systemic factors rather than individual characteristics. Despite relatively preserved resilience, substantial workplace stressors persist globally. Interventions should prioritize structural and cultural changes, such as improving workplace efficiency, preventing harassment, and enhancing work-life integration, alongside strategies that support individual resilience.