Burnout can lead to impaired clinical judgment and is prevalent among all physicians. Neurology is one specialty with high rates of burnout and low satisfaction with work–life balance.

A standardized survey design utilizing the abbreviated Maslach Burnout Inventory was performed from December, 2020 to March, 2022. Faculty from nineteen academic neurology departments in the US were included. Demographic, career, compensation, equity, domestic circumstances, parental leave, and burnout data were collected as part of the Women in Neurology Collaborative Study (WINCS). Statistical analysis was performed using R version 4.2.1.

Among the 318 neurology faculty participants, 192 (60.4%) identified as women. Approximately 36.5% (n=116/318) of respondents reported experiencing moderate to high levels of burnout. High burnout rate was linked with higher rates of clinical hours (p<0.001). Women had a higher proportion of reported emotional exhaustion (70.4% women vs 40% men, p<0.001). Among women, single women (7.5%, n=24) reported lower burnout (p=0.007). Among men, high academic rank (p=0.037), presence of leadership title (p=0.022), and more research hours worked (p=0.041) were associated with decreased risk of burnout. Independent predictors of low burnout include professor rank (p=0.005) and being 15-20 years post-graduation (p=0.03) after adjusting for other factors.

High burnout rates (36.5%) among academic neurologists may be associated with many factors including clinical time, academic rank, leadership status, number of post-graduate years, and marital status. Female faculty experienced higher levels of emotional exhaustion than male faculty. Neurology programs may consider measures aimed at reducing burnout in the future and focusing on early career women faculty who seem to be at highest risk.