Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42185952›Full record

ArticleBMC emergency medicine2026

Emergency physicians' perspectives on structural factors associated with mental health and burnout.

Anish K Agarwal, Rachel E Gonzales, Devon Schroeder, Lauren Southwick, Raina M Merchant

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC emergency medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Anish K AgarwalDepartment of Emergency Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3600 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA. anish.agarwal@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.
Rachel E GonzalesDepartment of Emergency Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3600 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
Devon SchroederCenter for Health Care Transformation and Innovation, Penn Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Lauren SouthwickDepartment of Emergency Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3600 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
Raina M MerchantDepartment of Emergency Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3600 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

importanceThe well-being of emergency medicine (EM) physicians significantly impacts health care systems, and patients. Understanding the interplay of factors contributing to EM physicians' mental health issues and burnout is essential for developing targeted support mechanisms.

objectiveTo investigate the individual, environmental, and structural factors influencing the mental health and burnout experienced by EM physicians, thereby informing potential strategies for intervention and support.

designA qualitative study using recorded and de-identified semi-structured interviews. SETTING AND

participantsTwenty EM residents and faculty physicians at a large urban academic health system. MEASURES: Interviews followed a semi-structured interview guide focusing on clinical work experiences and factors influencing well-being and mental health. Thematic analysis was applied. The study outlined underlying themes from the participants' responses, utilizing a general inductive approach.

resultsFour primary themes emerged with subthemes: (1) Individual Coping - detailing strategies for managing stress during and outside shifts, including long-term adjustments; (2) Interpersonal Factors - examining the interactions with patients, peers, and family; (3) Environmental Factors - highlighting the challenges posed by patient boarding and workload; and (4) Systemic Issues - addressing stigma in mental health, confidentiality, and the strain from public health crises.

conclusionsThe study underscores the complex challenges impacting EM physicians' mental health and career longevity. It highlights the need for comprehensive interventions that move beyond resilience training and build upon interpersonal support and systemic health system reforms. Fostering a culture of workplace safety and implementing targeted resources to manage capacity strain are essential approaches for supporting the well-being of EM physicians.

Indexed as

Burnout, ProfessionalEmergency MedicineMental HealthPhysiciansAdaptation, PsychologicalAdultAttitude of Health PersonnelCoping SkillsFemaleHumansInternship and ResidencyInterviews as TopicMaleQualitative ResearchWorking ConditionsWorkloadBurnoutEmergency MedicineMental HealthQualitative ResearchWell-Being

Identifiers

PMID42185952
PMCPMC13393610

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.