CIDRAP-Pediatricians experiencing less burnout than during COVID pandemic peak, survey shows

[Lance]

Pediatricians experiencing less burnout than during COVID pandemic peak, survey shows

www.cidrap.umn.edu

Pediatricians experiencing less burnout than during COVID pandemic peak, survey shows​

Meghan Holohan

Today at 3:16 p.m.
Public Health


As physicians grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic, many of them felt exhausted from treating so many sick patients amid uncertain conditions. A survey aimed at understanding whether pediatricians still experience high levels of burnout finds that fewer doctors are feeling the intense strain that they felt during the pandemic peak.

From 2021 to 2025, fewer pediatricians “reported current burnout, emotional exhaustion, disconnection or cynicism toward patients, and not accomplishing anything worthwhile at work,” wrote the authors of the study, published this week in Pediatrics.

“Although the reported decreases are encouraging, the overall prevalence remains concerning and underscores the need for continued attention and action, particularly in the context of ongoing challenges within the pediatric workforce,” they added.

‘Physician health and wellness is important’​

Led by American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) researchers, the study examined burnout measures among 2,353 participants in the AAP Pediatrician Life and Career Experience Study (PLACES) from 2021 to 2025. Pediatricians indicated their agreement or disagreement with four statements:

• I am experiencing burnout in my work
• I am emotionally exhausted and distressed to the degree of having nothing else to give
• I am disconnected or cynical toward patients or their families
• I am not accomplishing anything worthwhile at work

In 2021, almost half (46.2%) of the participants said they were experiencing burnout, but by 2025, that number dropped to 35.2%. The number of pediatricians who felt exhausted also decreased, from 22.7% in 2021 to 14.9% in 2025.

It is important to continue to track burnout since it peaked, because physician health and wellness is important to many stakeholders and can impact career satisfaction and patient outcomes.

Pediatricians who felt cynical or disconnected dipped from 16.3% in 2021 to 9.5% in 2025. And those reporting a feeling of not accomplishing anything worthwhile at work slipped from 9.8% to 7.0% during the same period.

In 2025, 37.1% of female pediatricians and medical graduates reported having more burnout than their male counterparts (29.9%).

The study also identified factors that helped pediatricians feel less overwhelmed. Switching jobs, having a more flexible work schedule, and having a less-full schedule led to pediatricians having less burnout, more energy and connection, and a feeling of accomplishment at work.

“It is important to continue to track burnout since it peaked, because physician health and wellness is important to many stakeholders and can impact career satisfaction and patient outcomes,” the authors wrote.