The impact of organizational culture on professional fulfillment and burnout in an academic department of medicine

The bottom line

Everyday cultural conditions — collegiality, respect, and exposure to unprofessional behavior — were independently associated with physicians' professional fulfillment and burnout even after accounting for demographics. The implication for leaders is that tolerating incivility carries a measurable wellbeing cost. As a cross-sectional study in one academic medicine department, it identifies targets for change rather than proving that changing culture changes burnout.

What the source found

Cross-sectional survey of academic Department of Medicine physicians; measures of organizational/workplace culture (collegiality, respect, unprofessionalism exposure) independently associated with professional fulfillment and burnout scores after controlling for demographic factors.

Limitations and applicability

Not anesthesia-specific; single academic department; cross-sectional; self-reported measures.

Population and setting

Academic medicine physicians (not anesthesia-specific)

Used in FairShare guides

• Leadership, Culture, and Fairness

About this evidence

Research question / practical issue

How does this source inform Leadership, Culture, and Fairness and Understanding Anesthesia Burnout for the population it studied?

Study design, evidence tier, and source class

Peer Reviewed Cross Sectional Survey · primary source · evidence tier 1

Source type: Peer Reviewed Cross Sectional Survey · primary · Evidence tier 1

Topics: Leadership, Culture, and Fairness, Understanding Anesthesia Burnout

Audience: Department Leaders