Involvement in a Medical Mistake Is Associated With Burnout Among Physician Mothers

Female physicians with children may be more likely to experience job burnout after reporting involvement in a medical mistake, adverse event or near miss, according to an AHRQ-funded study in BMJ Quality & Safety. Among 5,700 female physicians from diverse specialties and practice settings who completed an online, anonymous survey, 49 percent reported involvement in a medical mistake during their career. More than eight in 10 reported feelings of guilt after a medical error, and 2.2 percent reported reducing their clinical workload, taking leave from work or leaving the health care field. The study focuses on the “second victim” experience of physician women—specifically physician mothers. Authors concluded that feelings of anxiety and guilt may be particularly important to consider when trying to mitigate burnout among female physicians and those with family responsibilities. Access the abstract.

2019 Feb 4. pii: bmjqs-2018-008372. doi: 10.1136/bmjqs-2018-008372. [Epub ahead of print]

Decisions and repercussions of second victim experiences for mothers in medicine (SAVE DRMoM).

Gupta K1, Lisker S2, Rivadeneira NA2, Mangurian C3,4, Linos E5, Sarkar U2.

Author information

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The second victim effect is defined as emotional distress experienced by providers involved in mistakes. This study characterises events contributing to the second victim effect among a diverse sample of physician mothers, describes the impact on both provider and patient and seeks to determine the association between experiencing a mistake and burnout.

METHODS:

In this mixed-methods study, an anonymous, cross-sectional survey was posted to an online network of over 65 000 physician mothers on 17 June 2016. Self-reported involvement in a mistake provided opportunity to describe the error and impact on both provider and patient. Free-text responses were qualitatively coded to identify error types. Hypothesising that making a mistake contributes to burnout, self-reported burnout was examined using a single question. We used logistic regression to estimate the association between involvement in a mistake and burnout, adjusting for practice years, setting and specialty.

RESULTS:

5782 members completed the survey for an estimated response rate of 16.5% based on 34956 active users during the survey period. 2859 respondents reported involvement in a mistake (49%), which was associated with higher reported burnout (p<0.0001). 56% of those reporting a mistake provided descriptions. Qualitative analysis revealed that self-reported treatment errors were more common and diagnostic errors were most often reported to result in greater patient harm. Of those involved in a mistake, 82% reported feelings of guilt; 2.2% reported reducing clinical workload, taking leave or leaving the profession.

CONCLUSIONS:

Physician mothers involved in errors experience negative outcomes and may be at increased risk for burnout. Additional research should focus on strategies to mitigate burnout associated with the second victim effect, particularly among women physicians and those with family responsibilities.