This article shares studies finding a high rate of burnout among chiropractic students, along with ways to identify when burnout exists, and a few strategies for reducing burnout risk.
Chiropractic positions are projected to increase by 9% between 2022 and 2032, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, equating to 2,600 new openings per year. Filling these roles requires the completion of a chiropractic doctoral program, which one study has found is associated with high levels of burnout.
The rate of burnout among chiropractic students
The Journal of Chiropractic Education published a study on Feb. 13, 2024, to learn more about levels of burnout among chiropractic students during their progression through school.
One hundred and eight students started the study, with 78 respondents completing it fully. Each was administered the Professional Fulfillment Index (PFI) at the start of their January 2021 internship, and then again at the end of the three subsequent internship terms.
The PFI is a 16-item survey used to measure burnout levels and determine physician well-being. Its results were verified with the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey, a 22-item survey measuring burnout, which was administered upon completion of the eighth study term.
Respondents’ answers revealed a significant difference in burnout rates from before their first internship to the end of their eighth term. Roughly half of the chiropractic students reported feeling burned out, a rate other research suggests is similar to that of students in medical school.
Consequences of burnout in healthcare
Understanding and addressing healthcare provider burnout at all stages of their journey is important for several reasons. A 2022 narrative review in SAGE Open Medicine indicates when healthcare providers feel burned out, it can lead to:
- Lower-quality patient treatment
- Reduced patient safety
- Increased risk of mistakes
- Greater risk of medical malpractice claims
- Overall decreased healthcare system performance
This is in addition to the mental effects of burnout, which a systematic review indicates include emotional exhaustion, increased cynicism, depersonalization, detachment from work, feelings of inadequacy and reduced productivity. For students specifically, an analysis of 29 studies involving nearly 110,000 students connected higher rates of burnout with lower levels of academic achievement.
Recognizing burnout among chiropractic students
The first step to reducing burnout among chiropractic students is recognizing when it exists. Eastern Washington University (EWU) shares several signs to watch for, such as:
- Constant feelings of fatigue
- Changes in sleep or appetite
- Regular headaches or muscle pain
- Reduced motivation and negative outlook
- Feeling helpless or hopeless
- Lower levels of satisfaction
- Withdrawing or isolating
- Procrastination
- Use of substances to cope
EWU adds there are different stages of burnout. In stage one, symptoms tend to be mild. Stage two involves longer-lasting symptoms; in stage three, symptoms are more chronic and severe – as are the consequences if burnout isn’t resolved, potentially contributing to divorce, substance dependence and a shorter life.
Combatting burnout among chiropractic students
Finding ways to reduce burnout among chiropractic students can help avoid these negative consequences while improving mental health. This was the focus of the Dec. 2, 2023, Chiropractic Educators Research Forum conference, during which attendees discussed the ways chiropractic programs are not only identifying burnout but also fostering resilience in the field.
Some of the studies presented suggest strategies for reducing burnout among chiropractic students could include:
- Engaging in bibliotherapy, which involves getting together with others to read and discuss written works with themes similar to the challenges the person faces
- Learning ways to cope with and better manage stress
- Developing healthy lifestyle habits, including getting adequate sleep and prioritizing regular physical exercise
Final thoughts
While burnout among chiropractic students appears to be on par with that of other healthcare professions students, finding ways to reduce these rates can go a long way in creating greater quality of life in this demographic while also increasing their satisfaction with their chosen profession.
