Abstract Details

Title Results of a Wellbeing Survey of an Academic Neurology Department during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Topic Practice, Policy, and Ethics

Presentation(s) Practice, Policy, and Ethics Posters (7:00 AM-5:00 PM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 011

Objective To determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on wellbeing for members of an academic neurology department.

Background With high levels of burnout, healthcare workers within Neurology are particularly vulnerable to the stressors of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/Methods We surveyed all members (staff, trainees, faculty) of the University of Rochester Department of Neurology from May 8th to 29th, 2020. The online survey consisted of four demographic questions, seven multiple choice questions (MCQ) and two optional free text questions. MCQ using a Likert scale focused on institutional and departmental support, work-life balance, work hours and burnout during the pandemic (March-May) compared to pre-pandemic. Qualitative analysis was used to characterize and categorize free text responses.

Results We received 250 survey responses (78% response rate). One-quarter of all respondents and 42.3% of faculty reported increased work hours. Work-life balance decreased in 46.2% of the sample, worse in women than men (50.5% vs. 33.3%). Nearly half of all respondents reported feeling burned out from their work at least once per week, while 10.5% reported feeling burned out daily. Women and those under the age of 40 reported feeling burned out more frequently than men (50% vs. 28.7% and 61.1% vs. 34.6%). Primary stressors included finances, increased workload, work-life balance, telemedicine, childcare and social isolation. Respondents over the age of 50 were more likely to report social isolation and personal health and safety concerns than younger respondents. Twenty percent reported financial concerns, with staff reporting this more frequently than faculty (36.4% vs. 11.8%).

Conclusions

Burnout, increased work hours and decreased work-life balance were common in the first 3 months of the COVID-19 pandemic with the highest prevalence in women, younger employees and those with children in the home. Institutional, departmental and individualized approaches to decreasing burnout and improving work-life balance are urgently needed.

Authors/Disclosures
Andrea C. Wasilewski, MD (Givens Brain Tumor Center) PRESENTER	Dr. Wasilewski has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for Novocure. Dr. Wasilewski has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for Servier Pharmaceuticals .
Heidi B. Schwarz, MD, FAAN (URMC)	Dr. Schwarz has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of University of Rochester Medical Center. Dr. Schwarz has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for EBSCO. Dr. Schwarz has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Guidepost. Dr. Schwarz has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as an Expert Witness for Various Law Firms.
	No disclosure on file
Robert G. Holloway, MD, MPH, FAAN (University of Rochester Medical Center)	Dr. Holloway has nothing to disclose.

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