Burnout in Embryologists Working in Assisted Reproduction: Data from a Cross-Sectional Worldwide Study

Recent studies have highlighted the concerning prevalence of burnout among embryologists working in assisted reproduction (AR), with embryologists showing the highest levels among AR professionals. How-ever, data on burnout among these professionals across different world regions remain very limited. Therefore, this study aimed to assess burnout levels among embryologists across World Health Organization regions, with compari-sons among four regions.

This was a cross-sectional study. Burnout was assessed using a worldwide online survey completed by 759 respondents from 74 countries. Participants com-pleted the 15-item Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey, which assesses emotional exhaustion, depersonal-ization, and lack of personal accomplishment.

More than 80% of embryologists showed moderate or high levels of emotional exhaustion and de-personalization, whereas lack of personal accomplishment was present in a lower, although still substantial, propor-tion (67%). The comparison of means among Europe, Lat-in America, North America, and the Western Pacific showed only one significant difference: embryologists working in Europe had higher lack of personal accomplishment than those working in Latin America. However, significant differ-ences were found in the distribution of low, moderate, and high levels for all three burnout dimensions across world regions. Gender should be considered when studying burn-out in embryologists, as 97.8% of embryologists with high levels in all three burnout dimensions were women.

Burnout is a serious global problem among embryologists working in AR. Future studies should investigate workplace stressors and preventive strategies to prevent and mitigate burnout, and should consider gen-der as an important variable.