Facing the Pandemic: Burnout in Physicians in Turkey

Area of Science:

• Medical Research
• Public Health
• Occupational Health

Background:

• Physicians faced prolonged work hours and infection risks during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Concerns regarding physician mental health and burnout escalated globally.
• Understanding burnout drivers is crucial for physician well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify factors contributing to burnout among physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To assess the impact of working conditions on physician mental health.
• To provide evidence-based recommendations for mitigating physician burnout.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study surveyed physicians working in COVID-19 admitting institutions.
• The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and a sociodemographic form were utilized.
• Data were collected via online questionnaires distributed through professional networks and institutions.

Main Results:

• Of 893 respondents, 81.7% worked in pandemic units, exhibiting significantly higher burnout.
• Difficulty in obtaining personal protective equipment (PPE) was reported by 86% of physicians.
• Regression analysis confirmed high Maslach total and Emotional Exhaustion scores for physicians in pandemic units (P = .001).

Conclusions:

• Working in pandemic units and insufficient PPE access are primary risk factors for physician burnout.
• Implementing adequate PPE and supportive management can help prevent physician burnout.
• Targeted interventions are needed to support physicians working under pandemic conditions.