Physician burnout and associated factors during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction: Burnout Syndrome is a set of psychological symptoms arising from chronic workplace stress, with increased prevalence during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to assess burnout prevalence and associated factors among physicians in Porto Velho, RO, Brazil, during the pandemic. Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), completed by physicians who provided informed consent between August 2021 and May 2022. Recruitment occurred via messages and direct outreach in hospitals and clinics. Variables were classified as quantitative or qualitative. Fisher’s exact test (one-tailed) was applied to qualitative variables (p < 0.05), while the Mann-Whitney U (one-tailed, 95% significance) and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for quantitative data. Mean values’ confidence intervals were based on the Z test. Results: Among 138 participants, 63% were female, with a mean age of 30 years, and 69.56% had under 10 years of medical experience. Burnout prevalence was 77.5% (107/138), with 43.48% (60/138) showing emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. Factors associated with burnout included being female, under 30 years, single, and working on the frontline. Marriage and having children appeared as potential protective factors. Conclusions: High levels of burnout syndrome were observed among participants, with findings highlighting associated factors consistent with the literature. This study underscores the mental health challenges faced by physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic.