Burnout among labor and birth providers in northern Tanzania: A mixed-method study

Burnout, characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a diminished sense of accomplishment, is a serious problem among healthcare workers. Burnout negatively impacts provider well-being, patient outcomes, and healthcare systems globally, and is especially worrisome in settings with a shortage of healthcare workers and resources. The goal of this study is to explore the experience of burnout in a population of labor and delivery (L&D) providers in Tanzania. We examined burnout using three data sources. A structured assessment of burnout was collected at four time points from a sample of 60 L&D providers in six clinics. The same providers participated in an interactive group activity from which we drew observational data on burnout prevalence. Finally, we conducted in-depth interviews (IDIs) with a subset of 15 providers to further explore their experience of burnout. At baseline, prior to any introduction to the concept, 18% of respondents met criteria for burnout. Immediately after a discussion and activity on burnout, 62% of providers met criteria. One- and three- months later, 29% and 33% of providers met criteria, respectively. In IDIs, participants saw the lack of understanding of burnout as the cause for low baseline rates and attributed the subsequent decrease in burnout to newly acquired coping strategies. The activity helped providers realize they were not alone in their experience of burnout. High patient load, low staffing, limited resources, and low pay emerged as contributing factors. Burnout was prevalent among a sample of L&D providers in northern Tanzania. However, a lack of exposure to the concept of burnout leads to providers being unaware of the issue as a collective burden. Therefore, burnout remains rarely discussed and not addressed, thus continuing to impact provider and patient health. Previously validated burnout measures cannot adequately assess burnout without a discussion of the context.