Psychiatrists in New Zealand: are they burning out, satisfied at work and, in any case, who cares?

OBJECTIVE

To explore possible contributing or mitigating factors for burnout in New Zealand psychiatrists as well as future research directions in this area.

METHOD

A selective review of the literature pertaining to burnout and reports regarding New Zealand's medical workforce.

RESULTS

Possible factors contributing to burnout in New Zealand psychiatrists include rapid changes in the country's health system, the challenge of recruiting and retaining psychiatrists, poor distribution of staff and funds and difficulties in psychiatric training. Potential protective factors against burnout include lifestyle factors, long experience in psychiatry, proposed long lengths of career in New Zealand and potentially positive changes in the health system. Research challenges include subject recruitment, the lack of exploration of personal protective factors and completing longitudinal studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Given the current state of knowledge, it would be difficult to accurately know whether New Zealand psychiatrists were burnt out or satisfied with their work. Carefully designed studies would help to clarify this issue.