ABSTRACT

Background: Burnout is an occupational phenomenon that results from chronic workplace stress that has not been managed properly. It is prevalent among people working in healthcare professions, and directly affects their quality of life, and the quality of patient care they provide. There has been minimal evidence gathered on the topic in Pakistan.

Objective: The primary objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of burnout among healthcare professionals working at tertiary care hospitals in Peshawar, Pakistan.

Study design: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was undertaken.

Setting: Public and private hospitals of Peshawar

Methods: Data was collected from 399 doctors through a survey assessing burnout based on the standardized CBI questionnaire.

Results: The total mean burnout score was 54.58 (SD: 12.38). Participants greater than 50 years of age had the greatest burnout (p <0.001). Doctors who were married with children had the lowest levels of burnout (p <0.001). Maximum mean burnout score was found in training medical officers 59.90 (SD: 10.99). The highest degree of burnout was experienced by those having more than 20 years of experience (p <0.001). Overall, doctors working in private hospitals had a higher degree of burnout 59.344 (p <0.001) compared to those working in public hospitals.

Conclusion: Burnout is higher among doctors working in tertiary care hospitals of Peshawar. Trainees, senior doctors with more than 20 years of experience and those working in private sector had the highest degree of burnout.