Provider perceptions of burnout while engaging in end-of-life care conversations: A pilot study using the Serious Illness Conversation Guide.

19 Background: Studies recommend improved attention to patient end-of-life (EOL) care preferences and there is evidence that effective provider-patient EOL care conversations yield positive patient outcomes and reduce stress, anxiety, and depression for providers. Providers lack training to elicit patients’ EOL care goals and hence are reluctant to initiate EOL conversations. Methods: The Serious Illness Conversation Guide (SICG) was used to train providers and data were collected based on the Maslach Burnout Inventory to assess provider burnout, determine satisfaction of SICG training, and change in confidence/knowledge related to EOL conversations. Results: 18 providers were trained with a median work experience of 15 years. 41% spent 8+ hours/week interacting with seriously ill patients, 50% initiate EOL conversations < twice/month, and 19% reported burnout. 10 providers responded to the post-training evaluation, 80% reported burnout (Table). Conclusions: Providers reported high satisfaction of SICG training and increased knowledge and confidence related to EOL care conversations. However, provider burnout increased, possibly due to their increased awareness of an appropriate way to elicit patients’ EOL care goals. To explore this further, we will be conducting additional training sessions in the future. [Table: see text]