Resident Physician Burnout in the Medical Intensive Care Unit: A Prospective, Mixed-Methods Study

Burnout in residents rotating through the MICU is extremely high, higher than the previously reported baseline resident burnout rate of 50-75%. First-year and non-IM residents may be especially vulnerable because of unfamiliarity with the unique team and unit dynamics and clinical learning environment of the MICU (high acuity, high intensity, frequent exposure to dying patients, and unit insider-outsider bias). This study highlights unique factors, which contribute to burnout among MICU residents, that differ from those affecting other critical care staff and could be addressed through targeted interventions.