Correlation of Provider Burnout With Patient Experience
Kathleen McKee, Andrea Tull, Marcela G. del Carmen, Susan Edgman‐Levitan
Abstract
Initiatives to mitigate physician burnout and improve patient experience occur largely in isolation. At the level of the department/division, we found lower physician burnout was associated with a more positive patient experience. Physician Maslach Burnout Inventory data and patient Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Clinician and Group experience scores were significantly correlated with 5 of 12 patient experience questions: “Got Routine Care Appointment” (−0.632, P = .001), “Recommend Provider” (−0.561, P = .005), “Provider Knew Medical History” (−0.532, P = .009), “Got Urgent Care Appointment” (−0.518, P = .014), and “Overall Rating” (−0.419, P = .047). These correlations suggest burnout and experience might be better addressed in tandem. Principles to guide an integrated approach are suggested.