Abstract
BackgroundBurnout is an occupational disease expressed by loss of mental and physical energy due to prolonged and unsuccessful coping with stressors at work. A prior survey among Israeli pediatricians published in 2006 found a correlation between burnout and job structure match, defined as the match between engagement with, and satisfaction from, specific professional activities. The aims of the present study were to characterize the current levels of burnout and its correlates among community pediatricians, to identify changes over time since the prior survey, and to identify professional activities that may reduce burnout.MethodsA questionnaire was distributed among pediatricians both at a medical conference and by a web-based survey.ResultsOf the 518 pediatricians approached, 238 (46%) responded to the questionnaire. High burnout levels were identified in 33% (95% CI:27–39%) of the respondents. Higher burnout prevalence was found among pediatricians who were not board-certified, salaried, younger, and working long hours. The greater the discrepancy between the engagement of the pediatrician and the satisfaction felt in the measured professional activities, the greater was the burnout level (p < 0.01). The following activities were especially associated with burnout: administrative work (frequent engagement, disliked duty) and research and teaching (infrequent engagement, satisfying activities).A comparison of the engagement-satisfaction match between 2006 and 2017 showed that the discrepancy had increased significantly in research (p < 0.001), student tutoring (P < 0.001), continuing medical education and participation in professional conferences (P = 0.0074), management (p = 0.043) and community health promotion (P = 0.006). A significant correlation was found between burnout and thoughts of quitting pediatrics or medicine (p < 0.001).ConclusionsHealthcare managers should encourage diversification of the pediatrician’s job by enabling greater engagement in the identified “anti-burnout” professional activities, such as: participation in professional consultations, management, tutoring students and conducting research.
Highlights
Burnout is an occupational disease expressed by loss of mental and physical energy due to prolonged and unsuccessful coping with stressors at work
Study sample Structured validated questionnaires were distributed to pediatricians in two sessions: to Israel Pediatric Research in Office setting NETwork (IPRONET) members and to Israel Ambulatory Pediatric Association conference attendees
Two hundred and thirty-eight pediatricians responded to the survey, response rate (RR) = 46%
Summary
Burnout is an occupational disease expressed by loss of mental and physical energy due to prolonged and unsuccessful coping with stressors at work. A prior survey among Israeli pediatricians published in 2006 found a correlation between burnout and job structure match, defined as the match between engagement with, and satisfaction from, specific professional activities. The aims of the present study were to characterize the current levels of burnout and its correlates among community pediatricians, to identify changes over time since the prior survey, and to identify professional activities that may reduce burnout. Studies indicate that physician burnout influences quality of care, patient safety, and patient satisfaction [4,5,6]. Reported rates of physician burnout have ranged from 30 to 65% across medical specialties, with general pediatricians (∼35%) falling among specialties with the lowest rates and subspecialty pediatrics (∼40%) in the lowest third [8]
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