Burnout among anaesthetists in South Africa

Abstract

Background: Studies have been done to determine the level of burnout in anaesthesiology internationally, but not in South Africa.
Method: The Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey was used to assess the level of burnout. The primary objectives were to estimate the level of burnout among doctors working in the Department of Anaesthesiology at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits doctors) and to estimate the level of burnout among private anaesthetist attending an anaesthetic symposium (Private doctors).
Results: High levels of burnout were identified in 21.0% of Wits doctors. Higher burnout scores were noted in female doctors (p = 0.49), less years of anaesthetic experience (p = 0.37), doctors of younger age (p = 0.07), registrars (p = 0.22) and writing examinations within three months of completing the survey (p = 0.15), but none where statistically significant. High levels of burnout were identified in 8.1% of Private doctors
Conclusion: High levels of burnout were identified, especially, among anaesthetists working in the academic hospitals affiliated to Wits.

Keywords: anaesthetist, burnout, depersonalisation, emotional exhaustion, personal accomplishment