Burnout in gastrenterologists: a national-level analysis

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Occupational Health
• Psychology

Background:

• Burnout, a state of exhaustion from professional activity, affects healthcare professionals.
• Understanding burnout prevalence is vital for physician well-being and patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess burnout occurrence in Portuguese gastroenterologists.
• To identify sociodemographic and professional factors associated with burnout.

Main Methods:

• An observational, prospective, multicenter study involving 52 gastroenterologists.
• Burnout levels measured using the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI-PT).
• Analysis of sociodemographic and professional variables.

Main Results:

• Over half of gastroenterologists reported moderate to high burnout in at least one subscale.
• Younger physicians, those with less service time, and less leisure time showed higher burnout.
• Interns, those performing specific procedures, working weekends, or involved in medico-legal issues had increased burnout.

Conclusions:

• Younger gastroenterologists and interns are particularly vulnerable to burnout.
• Specific professional activities and work conditions are associated with higher burnout rates.
• Proactive strategies are needed to mitigate burnout and protect healthcare quality.