Burnout among Healthcare Providers in a Tertiary Hospital of North Karnataka: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract Background: Burnout is increasingly recognized as a major occupational hazard among healthcare professionals, affecting their well-being, performance, and quality of patient care. Objectives: This study aimed to estimate the percentage of burnout among healthcare professionals in a tertiary care institute and to identify the key stressors contributing to burnout. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 74 medical professionals working in various departments of a tertiary care hospital. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, including demographic details, factors influencing burnout, and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) for burnout assessment. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) was used to measure perceived stress levels. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and the calculation of P values to assess the relationship between burnout dimensions and stress. Results: Participants had a mean age of 44 ± 4 years. The average years of professional practice were 8.6 years, with assistant professors averaging 4–5 years, associate professors 7–10 years, and professors 10–18 years. Most participants were married (91.9%). The average weekly workload was 53.53 ± 12.82 h, with each doctor attending to 27.36 ± 16.94 patients per day. The MBI dimensions indicated moderate levels of emotional exhaustion in 66.2% of participants, depersonalization in 94.6%, and reduced personal accomplishment in 91.9%. The PSS scores indicated that most participants experienced moderate stress (87.83%), with a mean score of 16.85 ± 4.87. Statistically significant correlations were found between emotional exhaustion ( r = 0.232, P < 0.05) and personal achievement ( r = 0.389, P < 0.05) with perceived stress. Depersonalization showed a very weak and statistically insignificant correlation with perceived stress ( r = 0.035, P = 0.498). Conclusion: A high percentage of burnout was identified among healthcare professionals in the study population, with emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment being commonly observed. The findings highlight the role of workload and job-related stressors in contributing to burnout among faculty and consultants in a tertiary care setting.