Association of health status, sociodemographic factors and burnout in healthcare professionals: results from a multicentre observational study in Italy.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to measure the burden of burnout in a sample of healthcare workers (HCWs) consisting of general practitioners, professors from the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, nurses, medical students and nursing students.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional questionnaire survey.

METHODS

A descriptive analysis was carried out, using averages, medians, standard deviations (SD) and ranges for quantitative variables. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate analyses were also performed.

RESULTS

In total, 535 HCWs completed the survey. Multivariate analysis shows that increasing age (β = -0.183; P = 0.047), being a university professor (β = -0.118; P = 0.001), having a high physical score (β = -0.370; P < 0.001) and a high mental score (β = -0.574; P < 0.001) resulted in less personal burnout. Low work burnout was associated with being a student (β = -0.144; P < 0.001), a university professor (β = -0.146; P < 0.001), having a high physical score (β = -0.366; P < 0.001) and having a high mental score (β = -0.648; P < 0.001). Being female (β = -0.122; P < 0.001), a university professor (β = -0.333; P = 0.001), a student (β = -0.433; P < 0.001), having a high physical score (β = -0.26; P < 0.01) and having a high mental score (β = -0.460; P < 0.001) were predictors for reduced client burnout. However, high client burnout was seen in individuals who had a commuting time >30 min (β = 0.084; P = 0.012) predicts.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that burnout is an important issue among HCWs and that prevention strategies must be considered, with a particular focus on physical and mental health.