Work burnout and coping strategies among Egyptian forensic physicians: a national study

Abstract

Background: Forensic physicians are confronted daily with highly stressful and traumatic duties. With repeated exposure, they are at risk of psychological distress, especially burnout. The current study’s objective was to measure the prevalence of burnout and its associated factors among Egyptian forensic physicians, describe their coping strategies, and the correlation between burnout levels and coping strategies. A cross-sectional study on Egyptian forensic physicians was carried out using a self-administered questionnaire. It included personal and occupational data, Maslach Burnout Inventory, and the Brief COPE Inventory. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify significant independent predictors of burnout. The correlation between burnout and coping was examined. Results: Moderate/high levels of burnout were scored by 72.9 %, 51.9%, and 75.9% of forensic physicians in the emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment subscales, respectively. The significant independent predictors of high emotional exhaustion were being a forensic examiner (AOR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.3–7.6) and facing stressful job duties more than five times per month (AOR, 4.4; 95% CI, 1.6–12.3). The predictor of high depersonalization was being a forensic examiner (AOR, 22.8; 95% CI, 8.0–64.8), and for low personal accomplishment was being a female (AOR, 3.0; 95% CI, 1.3–6.8). The most frequent coping strategies adopted by forensic physicians were adaptive coping. Conclusions: Egyptian forensic physicians have a high prevalence of burnout. Forensic examiners, females with high exposure to stressful duties are more likely to have high burnout levels. Thus, psychoeducation and psychological support services should be applied and made easily accessible to them.