A cross-sectional audit of the risk of burnout among senior medical staff in a UK district general hospital

Abstract

Objective The objective was to assess burnout in senior hospital doctors (consultants and staff grade, associate specialist and specialty (SAS) doctors) within a UK-based NHS district general hospital (DGH). Method A web-based survey was created using the validated abbreviated Maslach Burnout Inventory (aMBI) with consultants and SAS doctors in a DGH. Primary and secondary outcome measures We measured scores on aMBI subscales: Depersonalisation, emotional exhaustion, personal accomplishment and effi cacy. Results One-hundred and seventy-eight senior clinicians (60% of consultant and SAS doctors) completed the survey with 85% of these being substantive consultants. Forty-nine per cent of senior clinicians were found to be at high risk of burnout using metrics from the aMBI. Conclusions Burnout is prevalent among senior clinicians at this DGH.