Association of Characteristics of the Learning Environment and US Medical Student Burnout, Empathy, and Career Regret

Key Points Question Is perceived mistreatment during medical school associated with burnout, empathy, and career regret at graduation? Findings In this cohort study of 14 126 medical students, mistreatment by the beginning of year 2 was associated with severity of burnout and career regret toward the end of medical school, whereas positive experiences within the learning environment by the beginning of year 2 of medical school were associated with lower burnout, higher empathy, and less career regret during year 4. Meaning These data imply that modifiable factors in the learning environment may contribute to burnout, empathetic orientation, and career satisfaction of medical students.