Browsing by Subject "Burnout"

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    Open Access
    Are Groote Schuur Hospital anaesthesiologist burnt out? A cross-sectional study of prevalence and risk
    (2021) Groenewald, Michael Burger; Van, Nugteren Janieke
    Background: Burnout and physician wellness are becoming increasingly topical. While some surveys have been performed with South African anaesthesiologists, these have been conducted in limited samples. While Burnout is often measured, there is a paucity of research on contributory risk and protective factors. Method: A contextual, prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted. The Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS) and the Areas of Work-Life Survey (AWS) were used to assess Burnout and contributory organizational risk factors amongst state-employed anaesthesiologists working at Groote Schuur Hospital. Results: Out of a possible 127 members of staff (Medical officers, Registrars and Consultants), 81 responded with 75 completing the full survey (59% response rate). Only 4% of respondents were classified as “burnt out”, defined as scoring 8 high in all three domains of Burnout: High Emotional Exhaustion and Depersonalization and Low Personal Accomplishment. However, 67% of respondents scored high for at least one of the components of Burnout, indicating the majority of the respondents are at risk for developing clinically significant Burnout. The Areas of Work-Life survey showed that respondents found their workload inappropriate. However, responses for the categories of Control, Reward, Community, Fairness and Values were all in the acceptable range. Conclusion: While the overall rate of Burnout was low, the majority of respondents were at risk of developing Burnout. High perceived workload appeared to be a particular contributory factor. Protection against Burnout in this group may be provided by a combination of few organisational risk factors together with feelings of personal accomplishment.
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    Self -Reported Symptoms of Depression and Associated Features in Medical Interns at a South African Tertiary Health Facility
    (2021) Naidu, Kaveshin; Thornton, H B; Torline, John Ross
    Background: It is known that medical doctors suffer from increased rates of depression with medical interns being most at risk. Despite this, little is known about the prevalence of depression in interns in South Africa. Aim: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of depressive symptoms in interns. Setting: All 91 interns employed at Groote Schuur Hospital, a tertiary hospital in the Western Cape, from January 2017 until May 2018, were invited to participate in the study. Methods: The study was a cross-sectional study. Consenting interns were required to complete a demographic and related questionnaire and the Beck Depression Inventory 2 (BDI-2). Results: Fifty-four (59.3%) of all invited interns participated in the study. Twenty-two interns (41%) reported a Beck Depression Inventory 2 score of 14 or greater. Features associated with a BDI-2 score of 14 or greater, included female gender, a previous diagnosis of depression, seeing a psychotherapist and previously being on antidepressant medication during internship. Other features also significantly associated with higher BDI-2 scores included, suicidal ideation, thoughts of emigration, wanting to leave Medicine and using substances to cope. The most significant associated feature of high BDI-2 scores was feeling “burnt out”. Conclusion: Interns had a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms when compared to the general population. The feeling of being ‘burnout' was the most significant factor associated with the severity of depressive symptoms. It is imperative that the mental health of both medical students and newly qualified doctors be prioritised, supported and monitored.