Prevalence of Burnout Syndrome Among Saudi Emergency Department Physicians in Governmental General Hospitals in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Background Emergency department (ED) physicians are vulnerable to burnout due to the high-intensity nature of their work environment. However, studies focusing on emergency physicians in Saudi Arabia remain limited. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of burnout syndrome among the ED physicians working in the governmental general hospitals in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Methods This cross-sectional study utilized an online, self-structured questionnaire to collect data from ED physicians in governmental hospitals in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire included three sections: a) information about the study and consent, b) demographic data and work-related information, and c) the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) with its three components (personal accomplishment (AP), depersonalization (DP), and emotional exhaustion (EE)). For the purposes of this study, the prevalence of burnout was calculated as the percentage of physicians with high-level burnout in at least one subscale. Results High-level burnout was detected in 66% of physicians (n = 66, 95% CI: 55.8%-75%) in the EE subscale, 55% (n = 55, 95%CI: 44.8%-64.9%) in the DP subscale, and 45% (n = 45, 95% CI: 35.1%-55.2%) in the AP subscale. Only 14% (n = 14) of the participants had no high level of burnout in any of the subscales. Participants with a high level of burnout in one subscale constituted 29% (n = 29). Those in two subscales represented 34% (n = 34), and those in all three subscales made up 23% (n = 23). The prevalence of burnout was 86% (n = 86, 95% CI: 77.3%-91.9%). A significant positive, fair correlation existed between the AP score and the monthly income (tau = 0.211, p = 0.010). Burnout was significantly associated with younger age (p = 0.002) and lower monthly income (p = 0.007). Conclusion The prevalence of burnout among Saudi ED physicians is high, particularly among young residents and those with lower monthly incomes. Health authorities should establish a strategy to reduce burnout among emergency physicians, particularly among younger residents.