Burnout study during the COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand: psychometric evaluation of the Maslach Burnout Inventory–Human Services Survey for Medical Personnel

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed (1) to determine the psychometric properties of a Thai version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory–Human Services Survey for Medical Personnel (MBI-HSS [MP]) and (2) to examine the mean scores of burnout and associated factors during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Forward and back translations of the MBI-HSS (MP) questionnaire were performed. The Thai version was subsequently completed by 682 Thai physicians and nurses who worked during the COVID-19 pandemic. Exploratory factor analysis was performed on the first subsample (n = 341) by conducting Kaiser Mayer-Olkin sampling adequacy measurement and Bartlett’s test of sphericity whereas confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed on the second subsample (n = 341) using fit indices of the normed chi-square (χ(2)/df), the comparative fit index, the Tucker–Lewis index, and the root mean square error of approximation. This version’s internal consistency was investigated using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. Demographic profiles were evaluated with descriptive and analytical statistics. RESULTS: The Thai version of the MBI-HSS (MP) displayed good psychometric characteristics, as the Cronbach’s alpha values of the 3 burnout factors ranged from 0.843 to 0.945. The CFA also showed good fit indices (χ(2)/df = 4.473; P < 0.001; RMSEA = 0.075 (95%CI = 0.055-0.079); CFI = 0.946; and TLI = 0.936). The physicians’ mean EE, DP, and PA scores were 25.28 ± 13.27, 7.15 ± 6.11, and 36.83 ± 8.13, respectively, whereas The nurses’ mean EE, DP, and PA scores were 23.10 ± 14.14, 4.43 ± 5.06, and 35.67 ± 10.24, respectively. Healthcare professionals who were younger, single, had fewer years of practice, and had more working hours per week tended to express more burnout scores. CONCLUSIONS: The Thai version of the MBI-HSS (MP) demonstrates good psychometric properties in assessing burnout among healthcare professionals. Several factors may be pivotal in intensifying burnout.