RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Relationship of Training in Acupuncture to Physician Burnout
JF The Journal of the American Board of Family
                Medicine
JO J Am Board Fam Med
FD American Board of Family Medicine
SP 259
OP 263
DO 10.3122/jabfm.2019.02.180204
VO 32
IS 2
A1 Paul F. Crawford III
A1 Jedda Rupert
A1 Jeremy T. Jackson
A1 Stevan Walkowski
A1 Christy J. W. Ledford
YR 2019
UL http://www.jabfm.org/content/32/2/259.abstract
AB Background: Physician burnout is an ongoing problem that affects both physician wellbeing and patient care. Burnout is characterized by emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. Studies have explored ways to prevent and alleviate burnout. Receiving training in acupuncture may reduce physician burnout.Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine if acupuncture training is associated with less patient depersonalization and less emotional exhaustion among physicians.Methods: These self-reported data were collected from a cross-sectional survey of family physicians at the Uniformed Services Academy of Family Physicians 2017 conference. Physicians answered questions regarding their level of acupuncture training as well as questions about burnout (depersonalization and emotional exhaustion).Results: The overall response rate was 66% (325/492). Of these, 233 cases provided complete datasets. In a model controlling for years' practice and clinical pace, acupuncture training was significantly associated with decreased depersonalization, F (1, 194) = 5.82, P < .05.Conclusion: Study data show an association between decreased physician depersonalization and acupuncture training, suggesting acupuncture training may be a helpful strategy to reduce family physicians' depersonalization of patients.