Predictors of Professional Fulfillment and Burnout Among Otolaryngologists During the COVID-19 Pandemic

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study is to assess burnout and professional fulfillment during the initial weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic among otolaryngology practitioners. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: International survey of otolaryngologists during a pandemic. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was performed from April 24 to May 8, 2020, via email and social media platforms to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on otolaryngology practitioners in academic and private practice. The Professional Fulfillment Index was used to assess professional fulfillment and burnout. Burnout was divided into work exhaustion and interpersonal disengagement. RESULTS: Of 243 respondents, 202 completed the Professional Fulfillment Index portion of the survey. An average score ≥3 on the professional fulfillment section correlates with fulfillment, while an average score ≥1.33 on the burnout section correlates with burnout. The average score of professional fulfillment was 2.17, with 85.6% of respondents reporting lack of professional fulfillment. The average score on burnout was 1, with 40.1% of otolaryngologists reporting burnout. In multivariable analyses, females were found to have statistically lower professional fulfillment (beta = −2.28, P = .010) with higher rates of work exhaustion (beta = 0.62, P < .001), interpersonal disengagement (beta = 2.08, P = .023), and burnout (beta = 4.49, P = .002). CONCLUSION: Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, most participants reported a lack of professional fulfillment while just under half experienced burnout. Female gender was associated with low professional fulfillment and high work exhaustion, interpersonal disengagement, and burnout. Attention to burnout and job satisfaction during a pandemic is critical for the appropriate well-being of otolaryngology practitioners.