Description
This presentation examines the prevalence, drivers, and consequences of physician burnout within Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, highlighting data demonstrating high rates of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment among physiatrists. Resilience in Rehabilitation- It explores systemic contributors—including regulatory burden, productivity pressures, practice inefficiencies, reduced professional autonomy, and emotionally demanding patient populations—alongside the personal traits and cultural expectations within medicine that exacerbate vulnerability. The session outlines the financial, clinical, and human costs of burnout, then transitions to practical solutions, emphasizing the restorative role of teaching and mentorship, strategic use of technology and AI to reduce administrative load, and intentional personal practices such as boundary rituals, realistic goal setting, social connection, and proactive well-being strategies. The overarching message is that resilience is not achieved through balance alone, but through purposeful engagement, collaborative support, and deliberate investment in what recharges professional and personal identity.
Learning Objectives
After completing this live activity, the participant should be able to:
- Understand contributing factors for physiatrist burnout
- Recognize the effects of Burnout
- Explore innovations that help burnout
- Develop personal strategies to help treat or prevent burnout
Accreditation Statement
The American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
CME Credit Designation
The American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R) designates this live activityfor a maximum of 1.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Disclosure Statement
In accordance with ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education, AAPM&R requires all individuals who are in a position to affect the strategic direction of AAPM&R and/or control the content of an educational activity to disclose all financial relationships with any ineligible company within the last 24 months. The ACCME defines an “ineligible company” as any entity whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.
Disclosures are made in written form prior to the start of the educational activity, and any potential conflicts of interest that exist are mitigated prior to the start of the activity through AAPM&R’s Conflict of Interest Disclosure and Resolution Policy Process. Individuals in a position to affect the strategic direction of AAPM&R and/or control content and their disclosed financial relationships are listed below.
No other planners, faculty, or individuals in control of content disclosed any relevant financial relationships.
Principle Faculty
Name, Credential(s): Company Name, Nature of financial relationship;
Kyle Littell MD, FAAPMR - Nothing to disclose
Samantha Andryk DO - Nothing to disclose
AAPM&R Medical Education Committee
Name, Credential(s): Company Name, Nature of financial relationship
Rachel Brakke Holman, MD - Nothing to Disclose
Sarah M. Eickmeyer, MD - Nothing to Disclose
Chelsea D. Frost, MD, MS - Nothing to Disclose
David J. Haustein, MBA,MD,MBA - Relationships to Disclose
Sarah K. Hwang, MD - Nothing to Disclose
Ravi E. Kasi, MD - Nothing to Disclose
Caroline Pupke, DO - Nothing to Disclose
Monica E. Rho, MD - Nothing to Disclose
McCasey R. Smith, MD - Nothing to Disclose
Jennifer A. Soo Hoo, MD - Nothing to Disclose
Brionn K. Tonkin, MD - Nothing to Disclose
Stephanie Tow, MD - Nothing to Disclose
Justin L. Weppner, DO - Nothing to Disclose
Alexandra G. Wolfe, DO - Nothing to Disclose
FDA Disclosures
All faculty members for this activity have disclosed they do not intend to discuss or demonstrate any pharmaceutical or medical device for which FDA clearance has not been approved.