Burnout and satisfaction with work-life integration among PAs relative to other workers

Objective: To evaluate burnout and satisfaction with work-life integration among physician assistants (PAs) compared with other US workers. Methods: We surveyed PAs and a probability-based sample of US workers. The survey included the Maslach Burnout Inventory and an item on satisfaction with work-life integration. Results: Overall, 41.4% of PAs had burnout symptoms and 65.3% were satisfied with their work-life integration. In multivariable analysis, working in emergency medicine and dissatisfaction with control of workload and work-life integration were independently associated with having higher odds of burnout. PAs were more likely to have burnout than other workers but did not have greater struggles with work-life integration. Conclusion: Findings from this study suggest burnout and dissatisfaction with work-life integration are common. PAs appear at higher risk for burnout than workers in other fields.