Evaluation of burnout, anxiety and depression in physicians of an oncology hospital

Background

It is increasingly apparent that physicians present high levels of burnout, symptoms of anxiety and depression. They have worked to the limit of their possibilities. However, it is important to plan subsequent interventions to improve their quality of life, increase their job satisfaction and insure that they see themselves as important and productive at work.

Methods

A cross-sectional study including holders physicians and residents physicians. For data collection we used socioeconomic, demographic and health-related questionnaires; variables characterization questionnaires related to physicianśs daily lives; Maslach Burnout Inventory; and the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS). Data collection method was with Survey Monkey. For screening criteria, the following were considered: anxiety (HADS-A ≥ 11), depression (HADS-D ≥ 11), emotional exhaustion (EE ≥ 27), depersonalization (DP ≥ 10) and personal fulfillment (PF ≤ 32), which were correlated to physicians' socioeconomic, demographic and occupational characteristics. All variables with p 

Results

Of the 323 emails sent via Survey Monkey, 237 (73.3%) physicians responded. of which 4 (1.2%) refused to participate. The evaluation was 227 (70.2%) physicians, corresponding those who completed all survey items. Of those, 143 (63%) were male, aged 31-40 years (44%), 140 (61.7%) are married, 92 (40.5%) worked in the institution between 1 to 6 years and 139 (61.2%) are holders physicians. The main items associated with levels of burnout were age, frequency of leisure time, satisfaction with professional development, department of labor (intensive care unit/emergency), lack of recognition by the hospital, excessive work activities and probable anxiety.

Conclusions

The prevalence of burnout was high in the studied population. Both personal as related to work factors were associated with burnout, anxiety and depression. The results may be used for development of preventive or therapeutic strategies to improve the health of medical professionals and the results of their work.

Clinical trial identification

Legal entity responsible for the study

Barretos Cancer Hospital (Brazil)

Funding

National Counsel of Technological and Scientific Development

Disclosure

All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.