G311 Factors associated with burnout in paediatric emergency medicine physicians

Abstract

Introduction Healthcare professionals often enjoy the variability, uncertainty and pressure of working in paediatric emergency care, but it is well recognised that working in this environments can lead to stress and burnout. Burnout has a significant impact on the individual themselves, on the patients and patient safety, and on the organisation, with increased sick leave and turnover of staff. Action is required to reduce stress and burnout in healthcare professionals. Aims To identify modifiable factors which contribute to stress and burnout in Paediatric Emergency Medicine and which may be amenable to intervention. Methods An electronic systematic review of the literature was performed. All studies were selected, appraised and evaluated using PRISMA methodology. Study quality was appraised using a recognised and validated quality checklist for qualitative papers. Results 9 studies were identified. Incidence of burnout varied from 20%–89%. Modifiable factors associated with burnout could be divided into demographic factors, work related factors and individual factors. Demographic factors included younger age, male sex and being single or divorced. Work related factors which were associated with burnout were job satisfaction, length of experience, work-life balance, clinical workload and hours, working at consultant level, cognitive demand and working in a university hospital setting. Individual coping style, sense of existential meaning and social support were the individual factors which influenced likelihood of burnout. Discussion Burnout incidence varied greatly, likely due to use of inconsistent measures/definitions of burnout. We were able to identify several work-related and individual factors which contribute to burnout and may be amenable to intervention, but unfortunately, there is little good quality research into interventions. Limitations of this review included the cross-sectional observational design of the studies involved, as well as study quality. Conclusion Factors contributing to burnout are identified but more research is needed into possible interventions. Future research must optimise study design and standardise burnout measures.