Pandemic-Trained Physical Therapists Entered the Workforce More Burned Out But Just as Gritty: A Single-Site Observational Study.

Introduction: Doctor of physical therapy (DPT) students who experienced burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic are now entering the workforce. This study compared burnout and grit scores of DPT graduates who completed their education prior to the pandemic (Group A) with those who completed all DPT education during the pandemic (Group B).

Methods: This is a cross-sectional comparison of burnout and grit among two cohorts of graduates of an entry-level DPT program. Burnout was measured using the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS); grit was measured using the 12-Item Grit Scale.

Results: Burnout was significantly higher in Group B, as indicated by MBI-HSS subscales for Emotional Exhaustion, (H(1)=14.130, p<0.001) and Personal Accomplishment (H(1)=6.781, p=0.009). There were no significant differences in grit scores between the two groups (H(1)=3.286, p=0.07).

Conclusion: Pandemic-trained physical therapists in this study were no less gritty than those who graduated prior to the pandemic but were significantly more burned out.

Impact: Pandemic-trained clinicians and their hiring managers/mentors should screen and support employee mental health.