RISK FACTORS FOR BURNOUT IN PHYSICIANS

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate factors potentially associated with burnout in Brazilian
physicians and medical students.
Methods: In this cross-sectional online survey, participants were evaluated in
October 2019 regarding sociodemographic, personal, work-related, and mental
health factors. Different phases of medical careers and work settings were
represented. Burnout symptoms were assessed by means of the Maslach Burnout
Inventory. The most common cut-off points were used for emotional exhaustion
(EE), depersonalization (DP), and personal accomplishment (PA). The total scores
of these dimensions were used as dependent variables in order to assess the risk
factors for each burnout dimension.
Results: 2,486 participants were included in the study. The mean age was 38.92
years (SD = 12.64), 62.8% were female, and 39.9% declared themselves as burned
out. EE was present in 59.3%, DP in 45.5%, and low PA in 33.1% of the sample.
Workload, age, sex, work environment, psychiatric history, quality of the
relationships with family and friends, leisure and physical activity were all
associated with burnout. Those participants who reported that they were not
undergoing any type of psychological treatment, but nevertheless felt like they
should be in treatment, actually had more symptoms. Burnout was also related to
having suicidal ideation in the last month and to alcohol abuse.
Conclusion: In addition to individual risk factors, this study shows the importance
of characteristics of the work environment such as fostering cooperation, empathy
and shared values between superiors, institutions, and physicians. Also, stigma
and the barriers to seeking care appear as an important issue, as well as the
association between burnout, alcohol abuse, and suicidal ideation.