Assessment of Burnout and Associated Risk Factors Among Pharmacy Practice Faculty in the United States

Published in the American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, the following study sought to measure the level of burnout among pharmacy practice faculty members at U.S. colleges and schools of pharmacy and to identify factors associated with burnout. Using a cross-sectional, electronic, anonymous survey-design, the authors measured faculty burnout at U.S. colleges and schools of pharmacy using the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Educators Survey, which measures the following burnout dimensions: Emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment. The study found that pharmacy practice faculty members at U.S. colleges and schools of pharmacy are suffering from burnout, exhibited mainly through emotional exhaustion. Emotional exhaustion was identified in 41.3% of participants and was higher in women, assistant professors, and those without a hobby. Additionally, participants without a mentor had higher scores of depersonalization, and those with children ages 1-12 years had higher emotional exhaustion and depersonalization compared to those with older children.