Mississippi burnout. Part I: Personal characteristics and practice context.

Research suggests that practice conditions can predict burnout, which is an important factor in physician performance and career choices. Understanding the personal characteristics and practice contexts that heighten burnout risk is a first step toward interventions that could minimize burnout. This study describes how burnout differs, across characteristics and contexts, among a sample of Mississippi physicians. Data are from an online survey of all licensed Mississippi physicians with unique email addresses. Roughly one-quarter of physicians responding to the burnout question reported burnout and more than half reported feeling stressed. Middle-aged (40-59) physicians report higher levels of burnout than their younger and older counterparts. Physicians who are self-employed also report higher levels of burnout than salaried physicians. Physicians reporting regional perceived workforce shortages, especially in mental health practices, also reported significantly higher burnout levels. We discuss the implications of our findings for devising strategies to reduce burnout and retain qualified health care providers for Mississippi residents.