Emotional burnout in medical workers of the outpatient clinic

Introduction. Much attention is paid to the study of the prevalence of emotional burnout syndrome (EBS) among health workers (HW). There are few studies of the relationship between EBS and factors influencing the HW subjective well-being.

Material and methods. HW in outpatient clinics (nineteen doctors and 45 nurses) were examined. EBS was diagnosed using the method by V.V. Boyko, trait (TA) and state anxiety (SA) — using the Spielberger–Khanin scale, subjective social well-being (SSW) — the PWI-A questionnaire by R. Cummins. The Mann–Whitney criterion, χ² was used to analyze the differences between the indicators, Pearson’s contingency coefficient — to assess the strength of the relationship, two-way variance analysis – to detect the simultaneous influence of two factors on the studied indicators, Spearman’s rank coefficient — to assess the correlation relationship.

Results. All HW showed EBS signs of varying severity. In the structure of dominant symptoms, the leading places were occupied by experiences of psychotraumatic circumstances (46.2% in doctors and 54.2% in nurses), emotional and moral disorientation (43.5% in doctors), expansion in the sphere in economy, in emotions (30.2% in nurses), emotional deficit (33.3% in doctors and 35.2% in nurses), depersonalization (33.3% in doctors and 32.4% in nurses). The specificity of the severity of symptoms does not depend on the age, but has positive relationships with experience. 34.7% of HW had high levels of TA and SA; no differences were found between the group of doctors and nurses. The levels of TA and SA did not depend on the age and experience. Inverse relationships were established between the development of EBS and the indicators of the SSW (confidence in the future, their achievements, level of personal security, and their standard of living).

Limitations. The cross-sectional design of the study, a small sample does not allow making unambiguous cause-and-effect conclusions regarding the factors influencing on the development of EBS.

Conclusion. Data on the dominant symptoms in each phase of EBS, the levels of SA and TA, and the SSW assessments can be used to develop a program for the prevention and psychological correction of EBS in HW.

Compliance with ethical standards. The study was performed in accordance with ethical standards and approved by the Local Ethics Committee of the East-Siberian Institute of Medical and Ecological Research (conclusion No. 6 dated November 15, 2012, conclusion No. 5 dated March 21, 2023).

Contribution:
Dyakovich M.P. — concept and design of the study, collection and processing of material, mathematical and statistical processing, text writing, editing, responsibility for the integrity of all parts of the article;
Kuleshova M.V. — concept and design of the study, collection and processing of material, editing;
Pankov V.A. — concept and design of the study, collection of material, editing.
All co-authors — responsibility for the integrity of all parts of the article.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Acknowledgment. The work was performed within the funds allocated for the implementation of the State task for the East-Siberian Institute of Medical and Ecological Research.

Received: October 8, 2024 / Revised: October 10, 2024 / Accepted: October 2, 2024 / Published: November 19, 2024