A new survey of interventional cardiologists found 78 percent feel they work too hard, 64 percent are emotionally exhausted and 41 percent have considered quitting in the past year.
The international survey, conducted in January and published June 16 in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions, included 1,159 attending interventional cardiologists and 192 fellows. The online questionnaire consisted of 78 questions about psychological well-being.
Here are eight other survey findings:
- Of respondents, 69 percent said they were affected by burnout, but many either did not seek mental health support or were unwilling to share whether they underwent treatment.
- Most respondents (86 percent) lived with a partner yet, 84 percent reported feeling lonely.
- Of respondents, 32 percent said they were currently considering leaving their job while 41 percent reported considering quitting in the past year.
- Enthusiasm toward work also declined, with 44 percent reporting decreased enthusiasm, compared to 12 percent with increased enthusiasm.
- One-third of respondents reported feeling overwhelmed, and 20 percent doubted the significance of their work three or more times a week.
- Thirty percent of interventional cardiologists considered themselves physically unhealthy.
- Overall, 28 percent of interventional cardiologists said they were not happy with their life. Unhappiness scores were highest among 51- to 60-year olds at 33 percent, followed by 31- to 40-year olds at 31 percent.
- Unhappiness was highest in North America compared to other countries, at 30 percent, and men and women reported similar levels of unhappiness, 27 percent versus 30 percent.