Using Photography to Elicit Internal Medicine Physicians’ Experiences with Burnout and Wellness

Burnout, which is characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and feelings of decreased personal accomplishment, is harmful and frequently experienced by physicians. Burnout can lead to numerous unwanted outcomes, including depression and suicidality. To date, much of the extant literature on burnout comes from survey studies. The aim of this study was to add to the literature through discovering, in depth, what “burnout” and “wellness” mean in physicians’ lives. Physician participants ( N = 8) were asked to take photographs of their burnout and wellness experiences and to then participate in semi-structured interviews, guided by their photographs. Participants identified core themes related to their experiences, including burnout definitions, indicators of burnout, burnout drivers, and factors associated with burnout mitigation, as well as wellness definitions, wellness drivers, wellness skills, current system structures, and current system needs to reduce burnout and promote wellness. Results from this study, along with existing quantitative data on burnout may be used to modify existing programs and develop new initiatives to enhance wellbeing and mitigate burnout risk for physicians. The results of this study may also contribute to a greater level of insight and awareness among physicians and other staff and providers that may help to normalize and mitigate the burnout experience.