Researchers grapple with studies of clinician burnout

Researchers from Stanford, Duke and Harvard University medical schools found considerable variation among published studies on the relationship between clinician burnout and care quality. Among 114 unique studies of burnout and quality, 58 indicated burnout related to poor-quality care, six indicated burnout related to high-quality care and 50 showed no significant effect of burnout on care quality. The studies reviewed were primarily observational. The researchers concluded, while much of the published literature asserts an association between burnout and poor-quality care, “the true effect size may be smaller than reported. Future studies should pre-specify outcomes to reduce the risk for exaggerated effect size estimates.” A separate editorial highlights “future approaches that might provide a better understanding of the interplay between clinician burnout and quality of care.” (Annals of Internal Medicine article, 10/8/19)