Burned Out, But Not Checking Out
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By
January 27, 2026
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4 min
A study examining the career intentions of US emergency medicine residents graduating in 2023 reveals that they anticipate practicing clinical emergency medicine for an average of over 22 years, despite high burnout rates and significant educational debt. Common postresidency plans included community-based roles rather than academic positions. Factors influencing their career choices included lifestyle, geographic location, and professional fulfillment, while the impact of concerns regarding workforce surplus and the COVID-19 pandemic was relatively minimal. This comprehensive survey gathered responses from nearly 97% of eligible residents, highlighting the need for workforce planning in emergency medicine.
1. Graduating emergency medicine residents expect to practice for over 22 years. 2. Over 60% have educational debt exceeding $100,000. 3. 72% of respondents meet criteria for burnout. 4. Major influences on career choices include lifestyle and professional fulfillment. 5. Fewer residents plan to enter academic emergency medicine. 6. Female residents prioritize fulfillment over salary more than males. 7. Study conducted via electronic survey with a 97% response rate. 8. Observational design limits causal conclusions.
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