Burnout in Embryologists from the Perspective of an International Expert Panel: A Qualitative Study

Healthcare professionals, including those working in assisted reproduction, are characterized by high levels of stress and burnout, with embryologists showing the highest levels. The aim of this study was to identify both the stressors that contribute to burnout and the potential prevention strategies they considered useful. For this, a qualitative study based on a semi-structured interview was conducted in a panel of 12 senior embryologists from eight countries in four continents. The interviews were recorded and thematic analysis was performed using MAXQDA^® 26 software From a deductive approach, stressors were those inherent to the embryologist profession such as excessive demands; physical and organizational stressors, such as high workload and ergonomic issues; and patient-related stressors, such as difficult communication and interactions. On the other hand, preventive/mitigating factors were classified, according to their nature, as physical (natural light), relational (conflict management), organizational (organizational planning) and psychological (stress management). From an inductive approach, lack of professional recognition arose as an additional theme, where embryologists complained about the unfair situation when comparing themselves with other team members, as healthcare professionals, or even in the wider social context. The results of this work should be considered in interventions that seek to improve the well-being of these professionals by reducing their burnout.