Burnout Syndrome Study Research Articles

ECP03-02 - Mental health of european psychiatry trainees - results from the boss study

Psychiatrists of today are expected to be experts in prevention, diagnostics and treatments of mental illness; understand human genome and pharmacogentics, integrate it with psychotherapy and sociotherapy; and have great management and communication skills that would facilitate all previously listed. Crucial period to gain “superpowers” are residency training and early-career years. Even though choices made during this period can have long lasting consequences and strongly define ones professional pathway, majority of training programs worldwide does not include consultations or supervisions that would enable people to choose what best fits their personality and professional capacity. This can have significant implications on clinical performance and patient care, academic performance (in terms of research and publications), but also mental health and well being of residents are early career psychiatrists. The latter probably needs additional consideration since our study on this topic (The International Psychiatry Residents/Trainee Burnout Syndrome study) shows that European psychiatry residents suffer from moderate level of burnout syndrome, 5% meet criteria for major depression, 1% attempted suicide, while the number of those with serious suicidal ideation goes up to 20% in some countries. Our aim is to increase awareness of this issue and discuss prevention and treatment strategies.

Mental Health Reforms in Europe: Challenges of Postgraduate Psychiatric Training in Europe: A Trainee Perspective

Mental Health Reforms in Europe: Challenges of Postgraduate Psychiatric Training in Europe: A Trainee Perspective

YP10-02 European psychiatry trainees on fire - results from “the international psychiatry trainee burnout syndrome study BOSS 2008”

Psychiatric training is designed to educate psychiatrists to the highest standards of competence in prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of persons with mental disorders. At the same time, it may be an extremely stressful period characterized by intensive work demands, lack of job autonomy, poor salary, high degree of work-home interference and severe dilemmas regarding one's clinical skills. Trainees may be at increased risk of burnout syndrome and associated mental and physical health problems. Burnout syndrome is defined as a psychopathological reaction to prolonged occupational stress. Most recently, a unique international study - "The International Psychiatry Trainee Burnout Syndrome Study: Europe BOSS 2008” - was introduced across Europe in order to evaluate the prevalence and degree of burnout syndrome among psychiatry trainees. The aim is to use the study findings to improve the professional status and the working environment of young psychiatrists. The study itself is run through the national trainee associations in collaboration with the European Federation of Psychiatric Trainees. At this point, fifteen countries are engaged - Austria, Czech Republic, Croatia, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Romania, Russia, Slovenia, Turkey and UK. The sample comprises all trainees in the country. They are asked to complete the questionnaire, translated into their native language, by entering data directly into anonymised online database. The study has already started in France and Croatia, and next two countries are Hungary and Romania. Results from the study, as well as detailed study design and methodology will be presented and discussed.