The scope of psychosocial factors among resident physicians and their links to occupational burnout

BACKGROUND: High work demand, low authority and decision-making latitude and constantly changing situations put residents’ physicians under increased pressure, causing burnout resulting in reduced workability and wellness. The awareness of the most critical factors is crucial for the development of preventive occupational interventions to reduce burnout and stress. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Data were collected with the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ) and Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI) from 233 hospital resident physicians. RESULTS: The descriptive analysis showed that the psychosocial work environment was negative in the resident physicians’ population - about a third (35.5%) of respondents had low job skill discretion and 40% complained about weak decision-making authority therefore 45% were classified as having low job control. More than one-third (39.1%) of respondents had high job demands and about a quarter had weak co-worker and supervisor support (24.9% and 24.5% respectively) and 37% felt insecure at work. The statistical analysis showed a high frequency of personal (PB), work-related (WB) and client-related burnout (CB) - 53.6%, 62.2%, and 33% respectively. The multiple stepwise regression models for each burnout dimension revealed that job skill discretion was found to have a buffering effect and reduced personal and work-related burnout odds by an average of 12% and 16% respectively. Each one-unit increase in job demands score increased the probability of all burnout dimensions by an average of 9% (PB), 13% (WB) and 18% (CB). The increase in scores of insecurity at work increased the probability of PB (B = 1.2) and CB (B = 1.3). The co-workers’ support reduced the probability of CB by 20%. CONCLUSIONS: The result of this study indicated that promoting job skills discretion and co-workers’ support and reducing job demands and insecurity at work could be the most effective way to reduce occupational burnout among young physicians. KEY MESSAGES: • Physicians residents are particularly vulnerable to occupational burnout. • In solving the issue of professional burnout among young doctors, the focus must be directed to ensuring work control and optimizing workload.