Effects of Mindfulness on Anesthesia Provider Burnout

Abstract

Background: Anesthesia provider burnout levels are rising across the United States. Evidence shows mindfulness-based interventions reduce stress among healthcare providers, which can aid in decreasing burnout levels. A burnout survey was distributed among anesthesia providers (anesthesiologists and certified registered nurse anesthetists) to determine level of burnout prior and following an evidence-based mindfulness intervention.Objective: The purpose of this project is to determine how the use of an online, self-administered mindfulness-based intervention affects anesthesia provider burnout. Design: This is a quality improvement that evaluated the efficacy of a mindfulness based intervention. The project assessed anesthesia provider burnout using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) survey and then evaluated effects of an intervention consisting of an educational Microsoft PowerPoint and supplemental handout provided to participants. A follow up MBI survey performed one month after intervention was used to assess impact on provider burnout. Participants: The recruitment pool consisted of 78 anesthesiologists and CRNAs from a two-site local health care facility in Tucson, Arizona. Measurements: The MBI survey was administered anonymously to assess three dimensions of burnout: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment. An online, asynchronous, evidenced-based educational mindfulness Microsoft PowerPoint and supplemental handout was disseminated through email for anesthesia providers to administer at their convenience. After a four-week period, the same follow-up MBI survey was administered. Results of surveys were automatically transferred to Qualtrics, maintained anonymity and linked pre- and post-surveys. All data was anonymous, and no demographic data was collected to ensure anonymity. Results: Four providers completed the pre-intervention burnout survey. The results demonstrate composite MBI emotional exhaustion score of 13.8 +/- 10.4, depersonalization score of 0.8+/- 1.0, and personal accomplishment score of 32.8 +/- 7.4, indicating low burnout among those completing this survey. Zero providers completed post-intervention survey. The efficacy of this intervention could not be determined due to no post-intervention survey participants. Conclusion: Only four participants completed pre-intervention burnout survey, with no follow up after the intervention. As no participants completed post-intervention survey, effectiveness of this intervention could not be evaluated. Multiple factors may play a role in the limited participation and are discussed with recommendations to improve future participation.