Changes in working hours and burnout levels among physicians: a cohort study

Area of Science:

• Medical Research
• Public Health
• Occupational Health

Background:

• Germany faces a significant physician shortage, impacting healthcare delivery.
• Previous studies indicated a trend towards reduced clinical working hours among physicians.
• Physician burnout is a critical issue exacerbated by current healthcare system pressures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the longitudinal relationship between changes in working hours and burnout symptoms in German physicians.
• To analyze how modifications in clinical hours affect various dimensions of physician burnout over time.

Main Methods:

• A longitudinal survey design was employed, collecting data from physicians in Saxony, Germany, in 2020 and 2024.
• A sample of 333 physicians across inpatient and outpatient settings participated.
• Multivariate regression analyses controlled for sociodemographic factors, work aspects, and prior burnout levels.

Main Results:

• A decrease in working hours over four years was significantly associated with lower overall, personal, and work-related burnout.
• Over half of the physicians (53.8%) reported a reduction in working hours.
• No significant association was found between changes in working hours and patient-related burnout.

Conclusions:

• Reducing physician working hours is a viable strategy to mitigate burnout and enhance physician well-being.
• Addressing overwork and optimizing working conditions, including schedule flexibility, are crucial for long-term physician health.
• Sustainable strategies are needed to protect physician health and ensure high-quality patient care amidst workforce challenges.