Physician Burnout—Evidence That Leadership Behaviors Make a Difference: A Cross-Sectional Survey of an Academic Medical Center.

This article examines the relationship between physician leadership behaviors and burnout among faculty physicians at an academic medical center using the Full Range of Leadership Model (FRLM). The study found that two transformational leadership behaviors—idealized influence behaviors and individualized consideration—and one transactional behavior—contingent reward—were significantly associated with lower levels of burnout, including reduced emotional exhaustion and depersonalization and increased personal accomplishment. Conversely, lower-level transactional behaviors, specifically management by exception passive and laissez-faire, correlated with higher burnout. These findings suggest that adopting favorable leadership behaviors while minimizing passive or avoidant styles may improve physician wellness and inform future physician leadership training programs.