Clinicians' burnout and career satisfaction across the major specialties in Zagazig University Hospitals

Abstract

Rational: The risk of burnout and career dissatisfaction increased in clinicians who perform their duties under stressful situations in the modern healthcare, yet the relationship between clinician burnout and career satisfaction is under-explored. Most studies have focused on particular specialties rather than examining whether differences exist between them. Therefore, we designed the current study for understanding the relationship between career satisfaction and burnout. A cross section study was conducted during the period from January to April 2012 at Zagazig University Hospitals by using The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) to assess the three components of the burnout syndrome: Emotional Exhaustion (EE), Depersonalization (DP), and reduced Personal accomplishment (PA). A sample of 250 clinicians was randomly chosen after proportional allocation from four different departments (internal medicine, gynecology and obstetric, general surgery, and pediatrics departments) to represent four major specialties in the hospitals. Results: about 38% and 28% of the sampled clinicians had high levels of EE, and DP respectively and only (13%) had low PA. In general, the sample showed moderate burnout as the majority of them (56%, 53.8% and 48%) scored moderate level on PA, DP and EE scale respectively. there were significant differences in EE and PA subscales of burnout syndrome between clinicians in internal medicine, pediatric, general surgery and gynecology departments. Pediatricians and internists had high mean values for EE. PA was highest in pediatricians (36.51±2.81). Majority of the surgeons (54.5%) had sense of low PA. The minority of the studied clinicians (21%) were dissatisfied while the majority of them (45 %) were neutral only (35.0%) were satisfied with their career. majority of internists (39.2%) were satisfied with their career choice when compared with doctors of other specialties. Conclusions: Findings from this study confirmed that majority of the sampled clinicians suffered moderate levels of burnout and they were somewhat satisfied with their career. Our finding support the fact that specialty influences burnout as there were significant differences between clinicians. Professional characteristics are affecting burnout subscale and career satisfaction more than personal characteristics.