Physicians in small, independent primary care practices experience significantly lower levels of burnout compared to the national average, according to researchers at NYU School of Medicine in New York City.
The researchers published their findings in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine.
Here are five things to know:
1. Of the SIP physicians surveyed, 13.5 percent reported provider burnout. The national physician burnout rate is 54.4 percent.
2. Physician burnout is associated with low job satisfaction, reduced productivity and may negatively impact quality of care. Past research on burnout rates focused on the hospital setting or large primary care practices. This is the first study to examine burnout in practices with five physicians or fewer.
3. Researchers collected surveys from 235 physicians practicing at 174 SIPs throughout New York City.
4. Physicians answered a multiple-choice questionnaire. Options ranged from no symptoms of burnout to feeling completely burned out.
5. Lower burnout rates are associated with greater perceived autonomy, an improved quality and safety culture at work, effective coping skills and less work-life conflict.