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Burnout among medical doctors working in paediatric intensive care units in Bulgaria
Mergyul Halilova1,2, Darina Krumova1,2, Tanya Zlateva1,2
1Department of Paediatrics, Medical University of Varna, Varna, Bulgaria.
Insights
Burnout is prevalent among Bulgarian paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) physicians, with high rates of exhaustion and mental health symptoms. Despite challenges, most express job satisfaction and a desire to continue in their specialty.
Area of Science:
- Medical Science
- Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Paediatric intensive care units (PICUs) are critical for critically ill children.
- Healthcare personnel in PICUs face significant stress, increasing burnout risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate burnout syndrome among higher medical staff in Bulgarian PICUs.
Main Methods:
- A survey, published in Acta Paediatrica, was administered to physicians in Bulgarian PICUs between September and December 2023.
- The survey was translated and reviewed, with 86% of eligible doctors and two clinical psychologists completing it.
Main Results:
- 73% of staff reported symptoms of depression, anxiety, and overheating.
- 75.6% felt exhausted, and 40.5% described themselves as "crushed" by work.
- Despite high burnout, the majority of physicians expressed job satisfaction.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first quantitative data on burnout among Bulgarian PICU physicians.
- Physician burnout negatively impacts productivity, patient care, and recruitment.
- Establishing paediatric intensive care as a distinct specialty may offer solutions.
Introduction:
Paediatric intensive care units (PICUs) provide special and comprehensive care and treatment to critically ill children. These factors lead to the exposure of the personnel to stress and the risk of developing burnout syndrome. The aim of the current study was to evaluate burnout syndrome in PICUs' higher medical staff.
Methods:
and participants: In order to evaluate burnout syndrome among physicians employed at PICUs, we carried out our study between September and December of 2023. With the authors' consent, we used a survey that was published in June 2023 in Acta Paediatrica.The survey was distributed to all physicians working in the existing PICUs in Bulgaria after being translated and reviewed.
Results:
A total of 37/43 (86%) doctors and two clinical psychologists completed the survey. More women than men took part in the study. Of the respondents, 70.2% were paediatricians, trainees in paediatrics or had a pediatric subspecialty, and 29.7% were specialists in Anesthesiology and Intensive Care. In total, 70.3% of the staff reported working between 40 and 50 h/week, and 24.3% working more than 50 h/week; 73% of the employees experienced an episode of overheating, depression, and anxiety. Of all, 75.6% felt exhausted from work, and 40.5% defined themselves as "crushed". Despite the difficulties that the staff faced, the majority of the doctors express satisfaction with their work and would choose the same specialty again.
Conclusion:
This study presents for the first time quantitative data on Bulgarian physicians' burnout in PICUs. Burnout among healthcare professionals is a worldwide issue that has a detrimental effect on staff productivity, patient care quality, and hiring medical personnel. Specific solutions are required, such as the establishment of paediatric intensive care as a distinct specialty.
