ArticleBMC public health2025
Exploring the link between physician burnout and intentions to retire early.
Article in BMC public health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.
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Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed.
- Career-stage patterns in burnout and intention to leave the current hospital among obstetric physicians.Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica · 2026Article
- Response to "Extended Duration of Training, Resident Physician Well-Being, and the Primary Care Physician Shortage: Questions Remaining Following the Length of Training Pilot".Family medicine · 2026Article
- Physician Intent to Reduce Hours and Intent to Leave Organizations.JAMA network open · 2026Article
- Changes in working hours and burnout levels among physicians: a cohort study.Human resources for health · 2026Article
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundIn the light of physician shortage and increasing demands of medical services, losing physicians due to early retirement is becoming a significant problem for healthcare systems worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate retirement plans and the relationship between burnout and retirement planning.
methodFor the purpose of the current study, a sample of n = 320 physicians working in patient care was analyzed in 2020 (Baseline) and repeatedly in 2024 (Follow-up). The questionnaire included the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory, measuring overall burnout and sub dimensions (personal, patient- and work-related). One single item assessed retirement planning (earlier vs. later/regular). Mixed-effects generalized linear models with binomial family and logit-link were applied, adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics.
resultsIn terms of retirement planning, 42% of physicians in 2020 and 39% pf physicians in 2024 were planning to retire early. The highest prevalence of burnout was found with regard to personal burnout at both time points. In addition, a significant association between time retirement planning and burnout was found: for a one-unit increase in overall burnout, a 12% increase in the odds of desiring early retirement may be expected when controlling for sociodemographics (p = 0.001). Specifically, an increase in work-related burnout was significantly related to a 7.1% higher odds of early retirement intention (p = 0.005) while no relationship was found for personal or patient-related burnout.
conclusionCurrent analyses indicate that burnout constitutes a significant risk factor for the early retirement of physicians and warrants appropriate attention in workforce planning. In order to avoid negative consequences for the broader healthcare system, it is important to establish interventions that help physicians to cope with high workload. Future studies are needed to better understand decisions regarding retirement among physicians.
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