Burnout levels among Portuguese family doctors: a nationwide survey. Issue 3 (18th June 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Marcelino, Gisela; Cerveira, João Melich; Carvalho, Inês; Costa, João Azeredo; Lopes, Marta; Calado, Nelson Encarnação; Marques-Vidal, Pedro
• Is Part Of: BMJ open. Volume 2:Issue 3(2012)
• Publication Date: 2012-06-18
• Subjects: Medicine -- Research -- Periodicals; 610.72
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2012-001050
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2044-6055

Abstract

Abstract : Aim: To characterise the prevalence of burnout syndrome in a sample of family doctors (FDs) working in the Portuguese National Health System. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Setting: Primary healthcare centres from the 18 continental districts and two archipelagos of Portugal. Method: The Portuguese version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory—Human Services Survey was sent to 40 randomly selected healthcare centres and distributed to the FDs employed. Socio-demographic and work-related data were also collected. Participants were classified as having high, average or low levels of emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalisation (DP) and personal accomplishment (PA) dimensions of burnout. Results: 371 questionnaires were sent, of which 153 (83 women, age range 29–64 years; response rate 41%) returned. One-quarter (25.3%, 95% CI 18.6% to 33.1%) of FDs scored high for EE, 16.2% (10.7% to 23.2%) for DP and 16.7% (11.1% to 23.6%) for lack of PA. On multivariate analysis, being married, of older age, having many years of practice or working in a personalised healthcare unit tended to be associated with increased burnout components. Men tended to present higher EE and DP but lower lack of PA than women. Finally, the prevalence (95% CI) of burnout ranged between 4.1% (1.5% to 8.6%) and 32.4% (25.0% to 40.6%), depending on the definition used. Conclusions: High burnout is relatively common among Portuguese FDs. Burnout relief measures should be developed in order to prevent a further increase of burnout syndrome among Portuguese FDs.