Levels of burnout among registrars and medical officers working at Bloemfontein public healthcare facilities in 2013

Abstract

Background: Burnout is prevalent among medical personnel and affects their work environment. This study investigated the level of burnout among registrars and medical officers at public healthcare facilities in Bloemfontein.

Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study included registrars and medical officers at four public healthcare facilities in Bloemfontein. Socio-demographic information was collected and participants completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory, which consists of three subscales: emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and personal accomplishment.

Results: Of the 300 potential participants, 205 were included in the result. Only 3.4% of the participants showed no burnout on all three subscales and 28.3% had only low to moderate levels of burnout on all three subscales. A quarter (26.3%) of the participants showed high burnout on one subscale, but not the others. Furthermore, 26.3% showed a high level of burnout on any combination of two of the three subscales. A high degree of burnout on all three subscales was found in 15.6% of the participants.

Conclusion: Burnout is a major problem among registrars and medical officers working in public hospitals in Bloemfontein. An action plan needs to be put in place in partnership with the Departments of Health and Higher Education to prevent burnout among an important working cadre.