Can mentors prevent and reduce burnout in new chairs of departments of obstetrics and gynecology: results from a prospective, randomized pilot study.

Objective: This study assessed burnout in new chairs of obstetrics and gynecology and whether mentoring by experienced chairs would prevent or reduce burnout.

Study Design: We performed a year-long prospective, randomized trial. Questionnaires were sent to new chairs to obtain demographic information and to identify need for mentoring and level of burnout. Fourteen chairs in the intervention group selected a mentor; 13 chairs served as controls. After 1 year, questionnaires were completed to determine stress and burnout and the impact of mentoring.

Results: Financial issues were the major stressors. New chairs identified human resources, finances, and relationships with school leaders as areas of greatest need for mentoring. Few chairs exhibited burnout. No differences were observed in burnout at the start of the study or after 1 year in the study groups. Mentors and new chairs found the mentoring relationship difficult to establish and maintain.

Conclusion: Long-distance mentoring by experienced chairs did not alter burnout in new chairs of obstetrics and gynecology. Local mentors appear to be more effective.