Burnout and Well-Being in Trainees: Findings From a National Survey of US Obstetrics and Gynecology Residents

<b>Background</b> Despite national attention on resident well-being, challenges persist. Effective solutions require greater understanding of personal and program factors. <b>Objective</b> To explore burnout, resilience, self-reported mental health, and perceptions of the learning environment in a national sample of obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) residents. <b>Methods</b> An observational cross-sectional survey of OB/GYN residents taking the January 2022 national in-training examination included an abbreviated 2-item Maslach Burnout Inventory, a short version of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, and subjective experience of other factors. Kruskal-Wallis and chi-square tests explored differences in outcomes and associations between variables. <b>Results</b> Among 5761 residents taking the examination, 3741 (64.9%) participated, with 2425 of 3741 (64.8%) reporting burnout, 2138 (57.2%) depression, 2651 (70.9%) anxiety, and 147 (3.9%) suicidal ideation. Women fared worse than men in terms of burnout (2105 of 3147, 66.9% vs 281 of 496, 56.7%, <i>P</i><.001), depression (1843 of 3147, 58.6% vs 256 of 496, 51.6%, <i>P</i>=.004), anxiety (2318 of 3147, 73.7% vs 294 of 496, 59.3%, <i>P</i><.001), and resilience (5.9±2.1 vs 6.2±2.1, <i>P</i>=.006). More nonbinary residents considered leaving residency (17 of 49, 34.7% vs 676 of 3147, 21.5% [women] and 108 of 496, 21.8% [men], <i>P</i>=.008). Race-based differences were seen in depression, suicidal ideation, and thoughts of leaving residency. Increased binge drinking was reported with increasing postgraduate year. Among 614 residents reporting that well-being was not a priority in their program, 539 of 614 (87.8%) reported burnout, 469 of 614 (76.4%) depression, and 508 of 614 (82.7%) anxiety. <b>Conclusions</b> Residents report high rates of mental health concerns, and these are worse among women, gender nonconforming individuals, Black residents, and those who perceive well-being is not a priority in their training program.