YP03.02 - Burn-out in young psychiatrists: A specific risk?

Abstract

Most medical professionals are at risk to experience stress and negative emotions in the workplace (1), but the risk of high levels of burn-out seems to be particularly high among psychiatrists (2). Early career psychiatrists are probably at higher risk of burnout due to several factors such as lack of experience, work isolation, role conflicts, etc. (3). At present, however, no data are available on workplace conditions and burnout risk among young psychiatrists. The aim of this study is to evaluate burn-out and work-place associated conditions among young psychiatrists. Fifty young psychiatrists were enrolled among different sites in Italy and standardized self-reported questionnaires to evaluate burnout and workplace violence syndromes were administered. The results showed moderate to high levels of burn-out among young psychiatrists. This may imply that young psychiatrists working conditions may represent a major cause for concern and thus further studies are strongly needed in this area. Causative and protective factors for workplace stress among young psychiatrists need to be identified and specific intervention strategies, aimed at improving psychological well-being among young medical professionals, have to be developed.

1) Daly M.G., et al. (2006) MJA, 177: S14-S15. 2) Fischer J. et al. (2007) Australas Psychiatry, 15: 417-21. 3) Ratanawongsa N., et al. (2007) Med Educ, 41: 273-280.