Contributory factors to burnout syndrome in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Tygerberg Hospital
Date
2024-03
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Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH SUMMARY: Burnout has been widely recognised as a debilitating psychological condition that develops over time leading to increasing misalignment between an individual’s intentions and the realities of their environment. Burnout leads to feelings of exhaustion, distress, overwhelming emotions and negative attitudes towards the environment, and this leads to increasing in lack of interest, impersonal engagement, emotional detachment and inability to be efficient and deliver good service. The World Health Organisation recognizes burnout as a risk to the healthcare sector and may negatively impact healthcare outcomes, especially in developing countries. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of burnout syndrome and factors leading to its development in a cohort of doctors in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Tygerberg Hospital, South Africa. Using the Maslach Burnout Toolkit, 73 participants, which consists of medical officers, junior and senior registrars, and specialists, were surveye. The Maslach Burnout Toolkit combines the Burnout inventory dimensions and the areas of Worklife Survey which assess the perceptions of worklife areas. The survey showed that 80.8% of the participants reported a moderate to high prevalence of emotional exhaustion, as well as 69.9% moderate to high levels of depersonalisation and low personal achievement respectively. There were no differences in burnout syndrome reported between genders. However, those who were in the organisation and in the position for less than 5 years reported high levels of burnout while those who were in the organisation and held a senior position for more than 20 years reported low burnout. Participants with under 5 years in the organisation and position reported less alignment on all Areas of Worklife assessed, especially for workload. Workload and fairness alignment contributed significantly to development of burnout. For every increase in workload alignment there was a resulting 8.31 times decrease in emotional exhaustion, and 3.30 times decrease in depersonalisation. Increased alignment with fairness resulted in a decrease in emotional exhaustion. Workplace characteristics are crucial to the wellbeing of healthcare workers and human resource practices need to ensure these are aligned and supportive. Increased burnout will likely cause a decrease in job satisfaction and promote the feeling to leave the healthcare sector or specific position held among the healthcare workers (Payne et al 2020). Young doctors need more time to learn theory and practical applications, aiding the need for continued support and mentorship, as well as enough resting time to ensure their mental health and wellbeing is looked after. This research highlights the importance of creating a supportive work environment for healthcare workers to prevent burnout and optimise healthcare delivery.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar.
Description
Thesis (MMed) -- Stellenbosch University, 2024.