Fabio Margiotta1, Genevieve Crudden2, Dara Byrne2,3, Anne M Doherty2,3. 1. Department of Psychiatry, Galway University Hospital, Galway, Ireland. Fabio.Margiotta@gmail.com. 2. Department of Psychiatry, Galway University Hospital, Galway, Ireland. 3. National University Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Burnout is prevalent among doctors and affects the quality of patient care. Little research on burnout in consultant-level doctors has been done. The objective of this study was to measure burnout in the hospital consultant population in Ireland. METHODS: Surveys were distributed to consultants in Ireland from September to December 2016. The anonymous online survey combined demographic questions and the Maslach Burnout Inventory General Survey. RESULTS: Four hundred seventy-seven (22%) consultants completed the survey. Of these, 42% reported high levels of burnout. We found that face-to-face contact with patients, specialty, exercise, remuneration and type of contract influenced burnout levels. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that over 40% of the consultants studied are affected by burnout. This finding raises concerns for patient safety and standard of care as well as doctors well-being. Interventions to address and minimise burnout are important to guarantee high patient outcomes and retain medical staff.
OBJECTIVES: Burnout is prevalent among doctors and affects the quality of patient care. Little research on burnout in consultant-level doctors has been done. The objective of this study was to measure burnout in the hospital consultant population in Ireland. METHODS: Surveys were distributed to consultants in Ireland from September to December 2016. The anonymous online survey combined demographic questions and the Maslach Burnout Inventory General Survey. RESULTS: Four hundred seventy-seven (22%) consultants completed the survey. Of these, 42% reported high levels of burnout. We found that face-to-face contact with patients, specialty, exercise, remuneration and type of contract influenced burnout levels. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that over 40% of the consultants studied are affected by burnout. This finding raises concerns for patient safety and standard of care as well as doctors well-being. Interventions to address and minimise burnout are important to guarantee high patient outcomes and retain medical staff.
Authors: Anne M Doherty; Gabrielle C Colleran; Laura Durcan; Alan D Irvine; Elizabeth Barrett Journal: Ir J Med Sci Date: 2021-03-13 Impact factor: 1.568