# Evaluation of Pharmacy Resident Burnout Based on Weekend Residency Staffing Requirements: A Pilot Study

## TL;DR

This study explores how weekend staffing affects burnout in pharmacy residents in California, finding that higher burnout is linked to PGY2 residents and lower interest in board certification.

## Contribution

The study is the first to investigate the relationship between weekend staffing and burnout in pharmacy residents using a prospective survey design.

## Key findings

- No significant differences in burnout scores were found based on the number of weekends required to staff.
- PGY2 residents had significantly higher emotional exhaustion scores compared to PGY1 residents.
- Residents less likely to pursue board certification showed higher burnout scores across all domains.

## Abstract

Research surrounding impacts of staffing on pharmacy residents is limited. This prospective survey study aims to elucidate relationships between burnout and weekends staffed among California pharmacy residents. Postgraduate year 1 and 2 (PGY1 and PGY2) pharmacy residents completed electronic surveys in August 2023 and February 2024. The primary outcome was the difference in burnout score changes based on weekends required to staff (measured using the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey for Medical Personnel). Secondary subgroup analyses measured differences in burnout scores by the overall cohort, no weekend staffing vs. weekend staffing required, PGY1 vs. PGY2, and by changes in planned professional pursuits. Of 66 respondents, no significant differences in burnout scores were observed based on the number of weekends required to staff. Final mean emotional exhaustion (EE), but not depersonalization (DP) or personal accomplishment (PA), scores were significantly higher for all residents combined, increasing from 24.8 (SD 10.2) to 28.4 (SD 11.5). Final mean EE scores were also significantly higher among PGY2s compared to PGY1s, at 35.1 (SD 0.70) vs. 25.8 (SD 12.0), respectively. Final mean burnout scores were significantly worse in those becoming less likely to pursue board specialty certification across all domains, with EE = 32.6 (SD 6.50), DP = 4.29 (4.79), and PA = 36.3 (SD 3.21). Based on these results, staffing intensity alone may not be associated with burnout among California pharmacy residents, but PGY2 pharmacy residents may be at higher risk of burnout. Higher burnout scores may predict the likelihood of pursuing board specialty certification. Future studies assessing additional confounding factors with a broader scope are needed to fully define risk factors for burnout in pharmacy residents.