Satisfaction, Stress, and Turnover: Comparing U.S. Intensivist Physicians Before and During the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Pandemic

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate changes in work satisfaction, work-life balance (WLB) satisfaction, stress, and turnover intention among U.S. critical care physicians during the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic of 2021–2022 compared with prepandemic levels in 2016. DESIGN: A cross-sectional electronic survey. SETTING: Critical care practices in the United States. SUBJECTS: U.S. physician members of the Society for Critical Care Medicine. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 1,148 intensivists completed online surveys administered in two waves: in 2016 (693 respondents) and in the late 2021 to early 2022 (455 respondents). They reported demographic and practice characteristics, self-perceived levels of satisfaction, stress, health, and intention to leave their current job. U.S.-based critical care physicians in 2022 report significantly lower levels of job satisfaction compared with 2016. Frequency of work stress and turnover intention also increased, whereas WLB satisfaction has remained the same. Nearly two-thirds of intensivists wish they could work fewer hours, and this discontentment is correlated with decreased satisfaction, increased stress, and increased turnover, particularly in pandemic respondents. More than 25% of physicians rated their mental health as poor or fair, and 20% rated their physical health as poor or fair; these self-ratings correlated with decreased satisfaction and increased stress and turnover intention. CONCLUSIONS: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has further burdened an already-strained critical care workforce. During the pandemic, job satisfaction fell, work stress became more frequent, and turnover intention increased for critical care physicians. They also have consistently low rates of WLB satisfaction. Work hours matter the most for physician satisfaction, stress, and turnover intention, and the desire to work fewer hours is negatively related to all outcomes. Many critical care physicians reported poor mental and physical health during the pandemic, which is strongly and negatively related to all outcomes. These results emphasize the importance of prioritizing the working preferences and the self-care of intensivist physicians.