Prevalence and determinants of burnout among anaesthetists in Switzerland

BACKGROUND The increasing prevalence of burnout among healthcare professionals has an impact on providers’ well being, the quality of patient care and the long-term sustainability of healthcare systems. OBJECTIVES The primary objectives of this study were to assess the prevalence of burnout among anaesthetists in the German-, French- and Italian-speaking regions of Switzerland and to identify key risk factors that could serve as targets for prevention. DESIGN Cross-sectional survey study. SETTING Thirty-three anaesthesia departments across Switzerland. PARTICIPANTS Trainees and board-certified anaesthetists. METHODS An online questionnaire was sent to participants. Burnout was assessed with the Maslach Burnout Inventory, and the questionnaire also included items related to workplace and personal risk factors. RESULTS Across all analysed regions of Switzerland 245/454 (54 (95% confidence interval (CI), 49 to 59)% of respondents were at high risk of burnout, and 69/454 (15 (95% CI, 12 to 19)% met the criteria for burnout syndrome. The prevalence of high burnout risk and burnout syndrome was highest in the German-speaking region, with 190/302 (63 (95% CI, 57 to 68)% of anaesthetists at high risk and 60/302 (20 (95% CI, 16 to 25)% meeting the criteria for burnout syndrome. Logistic regression analysis showed moderate evidence of a sex difference, with male anaesthetists having nearly twice the odds of experiencing burnout syndrome compared with female anaesthetists. The odds of burnout syndrome were significantly lower in regions outside of the German-speaking part of Switzerland. CONCLUSION Anaesthetists in Switzerland experience a significant prevalence of burnout, which varies across linguistic-cultural regions, with the highest prevalence in the German-speaking cohort. Males are at greater risk of experiencing burnout.