Burnout in gastroenterology registrars: a feasibility study conducted in the East of England using a 31-item questionnaire

Abstract

ObjectiveThe scale of burnout in UK gastroenterology trainees and the feasibility to determine its prevalence using the validated Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS) tool are unknown. The primary objective of this region-wide pilot study was to evaluate the response rate to a 31-item questionnaire. The secondary objectives were to estimate the prevalence of burnout in gastroenterology trainees within the East of England deanery (EoE) and identify common stressors that trainees experience.DesignThis was a cross-sectional study involving gastroenterology trainees from 16 hospitals across the EoE using a 31-item questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of the 22-item MBI-HSS and nine additional free-text questions. All gastroenterology trainees in the EoE were invited to complete the anonymised survey online. Data were analysed quantitatively and qualitatively.ResultsThe response rate for the survey was acceptable: 44.0% (40/91). 57.5% (23/40) of gastroenterology trainees reported emotional exhaustion. 23.5% (8/34) had depersonalisation and 63.9% (23/36) experienced low professional accomplishment. Burnout prevalence was 35.3% (12/34). 48.4% (15/31) of gastroenterology trainees were aware of professional support services within EoE. Stressors related to service requirements (eg, workload, staffing levels) and professional relationships with colleagues and patients were commonly reported: 65.6% and 25.0%, respectively.ConclusionsIt is feasible to use a 31-item questionnaire in a national cohort of UK gastroenterology trainees for future burnout studies. Burnout in EoE gastroenterology trainees was high and this may reflect a national prevalence within the specialty. More extensive studies, greater awareness of burnout and improved access to professional support services are required.

Burnout in gastroenterology: Better awareness and research are needed

“…In a recent pilot study of gastroenterology trainees in the East of England, even though 35.3% had burnout or were at high risk of burnout, 51.6% of all trainees were unaware of available mental well-being services that existed within the training programme. 6 In closing, we fully support Buscarini et al's call for better safeguards against burnout in gastroenterology. In addition, more research on burnout is also needed within the specialty.…”

The prevalence of burnout, risk factors and job-related stressors in gastroenterologists: a systematic review

“…45.5% (5/11) of studies reported that female gastroenterologists experienced more anxiety, stress or burnout than male gastroenterologists. In the remaining 6 studies, 2 studies reported no difference in burnout prevalence rates between genders(21,24), 3 studies reported lower PA scores in females(27,28,31) but did not report gender-specific burnout rates, and 1 study did not report any data on gender comparisons(29). Regardless of burnout tools or criteria of burnout, a meta-analysis of 2,694 gastroenterologists across all 6 studies that reported burnout prevalence suggested that female gastroenterologists may be at higher risk of burnout compared to their male counterparts; OR = 1.5 (95% CI: 1.1 to 2.1), p < 0.01 (Supplementary Figure 5).…”

Burnout and work-related stressors in gastroenterology: a protocol for a multinational observational study in the ASEAN region

“…Work-related stressors reported by respondents will be grouped according to commonly occurring themes that have been previously identified in publications of burnout in gastroenterology. 13 20 Any discrepancies or disagreements will be resolved by focus group discussions.…”

“…However, EE was present in 57.5% and only 50% were aware of organisational mental health support services that they could turn to in times of need. 13 Similarly, this study will also probe respondents’ awareness of mental health support services within their respective organisations.…”