Burnout and job satisfaction among hematologists: A cross-sectional study

Burnout and job satisfaction represent significant challenges among healthcare professionals, especially within high-stress specialties such as hematology. Despite the demanding nature of the field, burnout and job satisfaction among hematologists remain underexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the levels of burnout and job satisfaction in this population and to investigate their associations with sociodemographic variables. This cross-sectional study included 139 hematologists practicing in Turkey. Participants completed a sociodemographic questionnaire, Maslach Burnout Inventory and Job Satisfaction Survey. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS v22.0 (Chicago). Spearman correlation analyses and group comparisons were performed, with statistical significance set at P <.05. Emotional exhaustion levels were high in 21.6% of participants, moderate in 66.2% and low in 12.2%. Regarding job satisfaction, 38.8% of participants reported dissatisfaction, 50.4% were neutral and 10.8% expressed satisfaction. Emotional exhaustion - a core component of burnout - showed a significant negative correlation with overall job satisfaction (r = -0.404, P <.001). Higher personal accomplishment scores were positively correlated with older age and longer professional experience. Participants experiencing psychological distress or undergoing psychiatric treatment reported significantly higher emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, along with lower satisfaction in the "nature of work" and "communication" subscales. Those who voluntarily chose their specialty reported lower emotional exhaustion and higher job satisfaction. Only 12% had received training in coping strategies. Burnout is prevalent among hematologists and is significantly associated with job satisfaction, particularly through emotional exhaustion. While personal and professional factors - such as voluntary specialty choice and experience - were associated with lower burnout and higher job satisfaction, the cross-sectional and correlational nature of the study limits causal interpretations. These findings highlight the importance of organizational support and individual-level interventions aimed at improving well-being and coping resources among hematologists.