Evaluating the Wellbeing of ENT Trainees in the UK: Survey Findings.

Objectives The Association of Otolaryngologists in Training wanted to assess trainee wellbeing. Methods A survey was developed, incorporating the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory, short Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale and Brief Resilience Scale plus questions on working conditions. Results There were 190 responses and while most respondents had low or moderate levels of burnout, 15% had high personal burnout and 13% had high work-related burnout. The mean wellbeing score for respondents was lower than the whole population mean. 39% reported mental wellbeing has been slightly affected in a negative way by their working environment and conditions in the last six months, and 26% reported it being significantly affected negatively. Of these, 43 respondents reported an impact on patient safety. Conclusions This first ever survey of ENT trainees in the UK identified several areas of concern including how the working environment and conditions affect trainee wellbeing and impact on patient safety.