Burnout Decreases Quality of Life in Both Patients and Clinicians in Reproductive Health Fields

Although they are on different ends of the spectrum of reproductive medicine, embryologists and Black and Latina women with uterine fibroids share a common burden of negative mental health symptoms that impact their daily life and work, according to posters presented at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine 2023 Scientific Congress & Expo. Therefore, addressing these areas of stress and concern are important in improving reproductive medicine and care overall.

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A qualitative analysis aimed to gain insight into the experiences that may significantly disrupt the work and home life of women of color with uterine fibroids, a condition known to cause feelings of helplessness, fear, anxiety, isolation, and significant decrease in quality of life.¹

The researchers of the study conducted semistructured interviews based on past research and the theoretical framework of the health belief model and National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities research. Participants were recruited through social medial and had one-on-one interviews either over the phone or by video.

A total of 127 participants were recruited for eligibility, and 62 were eligible. Fifty-five of these participants consented to the interview, with 35 completing it. Of these participants 23 were Black, 11 Hispanic/Latina, and 1 Afro-Latina. These participants had an average age of 36.6 years.

Participants shared an overall theme of symptoms that impacted their psychosocial and daily life. Furthermore, symptomatic fibroids were found to affect these women not only during menstruation, but in their home, work, and social life. Participants also noted having to adjust their schedules around their uterine fibroid symptoms, not limited to the time of menstruation.

“I think it’s very sad that you have to go through this medical trauma, depression, and lots of anger, lots of bitterness, lots of sense that I missed out on a lot of life because of it, and it didn’t have to be that way,” said a 34-year-old Hispanic woman in the study.

A second study found similar feelings of stress, fatigue, and burnout among embryologists in the United States and United Kingdom that impacted their quality of life.² The aim of this study was to identify the current workflow or organizational characteristics of the embryology laboratory and how these factors contribute to physical and psychological health.

The researchers conducted a cross-sectional web-based survey which was sent to 487 US-based embryologists in April 2022 and 253 UK-based embryologists in January 2023. The survey included the Perceived Stress Scale–10 (PSS), Patient Health Questionnaire–15 (PHQ-15), Maslach Burnout Inventory—General Survey, a single-item work unit grade, and occupational and sociodemographic questionnaires.

The results showed embryologists in both nations had low somatic symptom severity and moderate perceived stress(P < .05). Embryologists in the United States (62%) and United Kingdom (59%) reported high levels of burnout, as well as stressful working conditions that negatively impacted their well-being. Additionally, 43% of UK embryologists scored high on the cynicism dimension compared with 68% of US embryologists.

Furthermore, cryostorage-related anxiety levels showed a clinically significant dose-dependent increased risk of burnout. For embryologists in the United States, the effects of cryostorage-related anxiety levels were moderate for PSS change (4.12; 95% CI, 1.61-6.48) and high for PHQ-15 change (3.93; 95% CI, 1.29-6.57).

The researchers note how these symptoms of stress and fatigue may ultimately affect overall work quality, which could have a negative impact in this field of reproductive medicine. Furthermore, the researchers suggest local enhancements to organization and technology may improve employee well-being and work outcomes.

References

1. DSouza K, Balls-Berry J, Venable S, et al. Daily and psychosocial symptoms of uterine fibroids in Black women and Latinas: a qualitative approach. Poster presented at: ASRM 2023 Scientific Congress & Expo; October 14-18, 2023; New Orleans, LA.

2. Murphy A, Lapczynski M, Proctor G, et al. Comparison of embryologists stress, fatigue, and burnout currently reported by UK and US embryologists. Poster presented at: ASRM 2023 Scientific Congress & Expo; October 14-18, 2023; New Orleans, LA.