Publication Date
1-1-2022
Journal
Frontiers in Public Health
DOI
10.3389/fpubh.2022.994443
PMID
36466537
PMCID
PMC9710614
PubMedCentral® Posted Date
11-16-2022
PubMedCentral® Full Text Version
Post-print
Published Open-Access
yes
Keywords
Humans, Female, Pandemics, COVID-19, Cross-Sectional Studies, Burnout, Psychological, Emigrants and Immigrants
Abstract
Burnout is an epidemic, with deleterious effects on individuals, patient care, and healthcare systems. The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may be exacerbating this problem. We aimed to explore socio-cultural and gender norms that modulate burnout development in physicians during the pandemic and analyze any disparities associated with gender, marital and immigration status and work-life balance. We conducted an online cross-sectional survey of physicians (August-November, 2021): The Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS) was used to measure burnout, combined with a validated survey assessing work-life balance. Demographic data was obtained for each participant. MBI-HSS subscales were measured, along with work and home related changes due to COVID-19. The association between life changes due to COVID-19 and odds of burnout was estimated by logistic regression. Complementary analysis was performed to determine factors most associated with burnout. 352 respondents were analyzed. There was a high prevalence of burnout. Over half of individuals reported a high degree of emotional exhaustion (EE) (56%). 83% of individuals reported at least one life factor changed due to COVID-19. Home-related life changes due to COVID-19 were associated with 143% higher odds of emotional burnout [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.43; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.49, 3.98] after covariate adjusted analysis. High EE was most evident when there were three or more life changes, suggesting a cumulative effect. First-generation immigrants, older physicians, and trainees were identified as protective factors. Although female gender was identified as a factor related to EE through forward selection, this was not statistically significant (aOR 1.34; 95% CI 0.80, 2.24). Burnout remains pervasive among physicians. We highlight new risk factors for EE (home-life changes due to COVID-19), and protective factors (first-generation immigrants) not previously explored. Understanding burnout and its disparities allows for improved mitigation strategies, decreasing its deleterious effects.
Included in
Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Structural Biology Commons, Clinical Epidemiology Commons, COVID-19 Commons, Medical Sciences Commons, Medical Specialties Commons
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