A mixed methods study on factors that promote and ameliorate burnout in academic dermatologists

The burnout literature is replete with burnout score results from quantitative surveys. There is a paucity of qualitative research that seeks to understand the impact of physician stressors on work–life balance and burnout. This study aimed to identify factors that support and disrupt work–life balance, drivers of burnout, and potential solutions among academic dermatologists. The objective was to better understand factors that promote wellness and ameliorate burnout. Concurrent explanatory mixed methods consisted of scores on the Abbreviated Maslach Burnout Inventory and open-ended semi-structured telephone interviews. The results were that positive factors, such as supportive home life and satisfaction derived from academic endeavors, compete with ongoing feelings of exhaustion, frustration, and apathy. Negative stressors include the electronic medical record, insufficient staffing, administrative and clinical task burden, and perceived lack of interest from mid-level and senior health system leadership in addressing clinicians’ needs. This was a single-center academic study. As with all qualitative studies, these results may not be generalizable to all dermatologists. In addition, some participants were concerned about their anonymity. Modifiable root causes of burnout require institutional commitment to sustain the pace required by academic dermatologists. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00403-022-02441-0.