Trainee Responses to Hurricane Harvey Correlating Volunteerism with Burnout

The authors surveyed new health care trainees across specialties to understand how their volunteer experiences during Hurricane Harvey affected burnout. More than half of those surveyed had volunteered. Volunteers had a greater sense of personal achievement, which may be because less burnt-out trainees are more likely to volunteer, or conversely, volunteering may have reduced burnout, stress, or trauma. The authors note the small sample size and call for additional, more robust studies in addition to educational programs and volunteer opportunities to address potential burnout among trainees.