Pressure From Superiors and Older Age Increase the Risk of Burnout Syndrome Among Psychiatric Trainees: A Nation-wide Survey in Turkey

Abstract

Introduction

Previous studies reported high burnout rates and indicated significant factors associated with burnout syndrome among psychiatric trainees, such as hard working conditions, lack of supervision and not opting for psychiatry as a first career choice.

Objectives

A substantial amount of variance was reported in psychiatry training across countries. However, there is not sufficient national data regarding the rates and risk factors of burnout syndrome among psychiatric trainees in Turkey.

Aims

To determine the burnout syndrome rates and the risk factors associated with burnout syndrome among psychiatric trainees.

Methods

A questionnaire of occupational, educational and personal factors and Maslach burnout inventory (MBI) were answered by 180 of 450 psychiatric trainees in Turkey. The data was collected from 167 (56% females) trainees who completed the survey material. Converting the scores of three subscales by using MBI manual, a dichotomous variable (severe/non-severe burnout) was obtained for each participant and the data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression models.

Results

Mean age was 28.85 ± 2.99-year-old and mean duration of residency was 2.61 ± 1.31 years. Severe burnout was found in 38.3% of the trainees. Logistic regression confirmed that older age (P = 0.02) and pressure from superiors (P = 0.04) are predictive factors associated with severe burnout. The high number of patient visits (P = 0.001), violation of employee personal rights (P = 0.04) and pressure from superiors (P = 0.01) were significantly associated with the “wish working in another institution”.

Conclusions

Pressure from superiors and older age can be described as risk factors associated with burnout syndrome among psychiatric trainees in Turkey.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.