Abstract
To explore the prevalence and factors that contribute to burnout among Thai psychiatrists. The practice of psychiatry can lead to emotional fatigue. As rates of emotional illness in Thailand continue to climb, increasing demands are placed on a limited number of psychiatrists. This can lead to burnout, and multiple negative physical and mental health outcomes. Electronic questionnaires were sent to all 882 Thai psychiatrists and residents via a private social media group managed by the Psychiatric Association of Thailand. The questionnaire included demographic data, the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), the Proactive Coping Inventory, and questions about strategies that Thai psychiatrists believed reduce/prevent burnout. Questionnaires were sent and 227 (25.7%) responded. According to MBI, 112 (49.3%) of respondents reported high level of emotional exhaustion, and 60 (26.4%) had a high level of depersonalization. Nearly all respondents (99.6%) maintained a high level of personal accomplishment. Working more than 50 hours per week (p = 0.003) and more patients per day (p = 0.20) were associated with higher levels of burnout. Feeling satisfied with work (p<0.001) and having a good support system from family (p = 0.027) and colleagues (p = 0.033) were associated with lower levels of burnout. The coping mechanisms related to lower levels of burnout included more emotional support seeking (p = 0.005), more proactive coping (p = 0.047), and less avoidance (p = 0.005). Compared to a previous study on burnout among Thai psychiatrists in 2011, in this study, the prevalence of high levels of burnout had increased dramatically from 17.1% to 49.3%. An intervention to decrease workload, strengthen social support and encourage proactive coping mechanisms may be beneficial for relieving burnout.
Highlights
To explore the prevalence and factors that contribute to burnout among Thai psychiatrists
As rates of emotional illness in Thailand continue to climb, increasing demands are placed on a limited number of psychiatrists. This can lead to burnout, and multiple negative physical and mental health outcomes
Burnout is a syndrome of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a negative view of personal accomplishment [1]
Summary
Burnout is a syndrome of emotional exhaustion (feelings of mental fatigue and a lack of positive energy), depersonalization (negative attitudes toward work and patients), and a negative view of personal accomplishment (dissatisfied feelings about self-efficacy) [1]. Physical effects of burnout include metabolic syndromes, chronic somatic symptoms, severe injuries and mortality under the age of 45 years [2]. Psychiatrists have daily interactions with mentally ill patients and are at high risk of burnout [3]. A 2011 national survey of Thai psychiatrists demonstrated that nearly half (44.7%) of the respondents had moderate to high levels of burnout [4], which was consistent with findings from other countries. As rates of emotional illness in Thailand continue to climb, increasing demands are placed on a limited number of psychiatrists. This can lead to burnout, and multiple negative physical and mental health outcomes
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