Demographics in Distress: a National Study of Burnout and Well-Being of Resident Physicians in High-Burnout Specialties

Resident burnout harms learning and negatively affects patient care, physician retention, and healthcare costs. Programs are increasingly prioritizing resident well-being. However, literature focuses on resident burnout, often overlooking well-being, and post-pandemic well-being has not been evaluated across specialties. This study assessed post-pandemic burnout and well-being among frontline residents nationwide and examined associations with demographics. A nationwide, cross-sectional survey in 2024 was conducted as part of a randomized controlled trial evaluating a well-being training among residents in high-burnout specialties (surgery, obstetrics-gynecology, family, internal, and emergency medicine). The survey assessed burnout and well-being outcomes. Prevalence rates of burnout or low well-being were calculated and compared across demographics. Regression models assessed associations with well-being, adjusting for demographic characteristics. 540 residents responded. The sample was predominantly cisgender women (67