Key result
Attending physicians demonstrated higher heart rate variability (RMSSD 44.2 vs. 35.4, p=0.033) and a lower workload index compared to resident physicians, implying lower stress levels.
Why the study?
Burnout among physicians is increasing annually, especially in emergency medicine, but whether stress and burnout rates differ between attending and resident emergency physicians on the same shift remains unclear.
Do stress levels and burnout rates differ between attending and resident physicians in the emergency department?
Population
Twelve attending and resident physicians at an academic Level 1 trauma center emergency department
Comparison
Attending vs resident physicians working on the same shift
Design
Comparative observational study
Authors
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Attending ED physicians may have lower acute stress than residents; hypothesis-generating for burnout interventions and needs prospective confirmation.
Observational (n=12)
No
Do stress levels and burnout rates differ between attending and resident physicians in the emergency department?
Absolute Event Rate: 44.2% vs 35.4%
p-value: p=0.033
Attending ED physicians experience lower physiological stress and perceived workload during shifts compared to residents, though burnout levels are similar.
Prabhu et al. (2020) conducted an observational in Stress and burnout (n=12). Attending physician status vs. Resident physicians was evaluated on Heart rate variability (RMSSD) for the entire shift (p=0.033). Attending physicians demonstrated higher heart rate variability (RMSSD 44.2 vs. 35.4, p=0.033) and a lower workload index compared to resident physicians, implying lower stress levels.
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