• Paul F Crawford, Jedda Rupert, Jeremy T Jackson, Stevan Walkowski, and Ledford Christy J W CJW From the Department of Family Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Services, Bethesda, MD (PFC, CJWL); Nellis Family Medicine Res.
• From the Department of Family Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Services, Bethesda, MD (PFC, CJWL); Nellis Family Medicine Residency, Nellis Air Force Base, NV (PFC, JR); Military Primary Care Research Network, Bethesda (JTJ); Department of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Athens, OH (SW).
• J Am Board Fam Med. 2019 Mar 1; 32 (2): 259-263.

BackgroundPhysician burnout is an ongoing problem that affects both physician wellbeing and patient care. Burnout is characterized by emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. Studies have explored ways to prevent and alleviate burnout. Receiving training in acupuncture may reduce physician burnout.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study is to determine if acupuncture training is associated with less patient depersonalization and less emotional exhaustion among physicians.MethodsThese self-reported data were collected from a cross-sectional survey of family physicians at the Uniformed Services Academy of Family Physicians 2017 conference. Physicians answered questions regarding their level of acupuncture training as well as questions about burnout (depersonalization and emotional exhaustion).ResultsThe overall response rate was 66% (325/492). Of these, 233 cases provided complete datasets. In a model controlling for years' practice and clinical pace, acupuncture training was significantly associated with decreased depersonalization, F (1, 194) = 5.82, P < .05.ConclusionStudy data show an association between decreased physician depersonalization and acupuncture training, suggesting acupuncture training may be a helpful strategy to reduce family physicians' depersonalization of patients.© Copyright 2019 by the American Board of Family Medicine.

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