Burnout syndrome and job satisfaction in Greek residents: exploring differences between trainees inside and outside the country

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study is to investigate the levels of burnout among Greek residents, highlighting potential differences between those practicing at home and abroad, as well as to investigate correlations with demographic, individual and labor factors. Methods:The research was conducted on a sample of 131 residents, using an anonymous questionnaire which included demographic, individual and labor characteristics, Maslach's Burnout Inventory, questions regarding job and life satisfaction levels, working conditions and the impacts of the economic recession.Results: Fifty two point seven percent of the sample were training in the Greek National Health Service (N.H.S.), 27.5% in Germany and 19.8% in the United Kingdom. One out of three residents in the Greek system showed high levels of burnout in all three dimensions of the syndrome, while 51.1%, 72.2% and 30.8% of the Greek, British and German team, respectively, appeared burnt out simultaneously in two dimensions. Levels of job and life satisfactions ranged on average, while workload appeared heavy. Conclusions:The occurrence of burnout was associated with gender, specialty, employment characteristics (working hours, autonomy, support etc.), proneness to accidents, country, job satisfaction and quality of life, but was not associated with age or marital status. No correlation was found with susceptibility to medical errors.

Is Balint training associated with the reduced burnout among primary health care doctors?

“…Female doctors reached higher scores of emotional exhaustion in another investigation from our country [25], similar as in the studies carried out in the Netherlands [38,39], Germany [40], Finland [41], Canada [42], Greece [43] and Lebanon [44]. …”

“…In Greece, there is a growing tendency of levels of depersonalization among nonspecialists [43]. With respect to the relation of the burnout and the nonspecialists’ age, studies have shown diverse outcomes.…”

Comparing working conditions and job satisfaction in hospitality workers across Europe

“…( Fahri and Werning, 2014 ). Taking into account that the quality of employment varies across European countries, factors that strongly explain workers ´ mobility and differences in job satisfaction depending on the country can be observed, as indicated in the literature (e.g., Leineweber et al, 2016 ; Salpigktidis et al, 2016 ; Thite et al, 2012 ). These differences can be explained by the distinct institutional settings of each territory ( Salvatori, 2010 ).…”

Residency training in Greece: job dissatisfaction paves the way to brain drain

“…The authors reported that reported that those being trained in Greece scored higher average levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization but this finding was not related to increase of medical errors (7). On the contrary, a recent study demonstrated that both burnout syndrome and mental quality of life (QoL) are causes of major medical errors (8).…”

“…We read with great interest a recent study by Salpigktidis et al (7) who investigated the levels of burnout among Greek residents, highlighting potential differences between those practicing at home and abroad, as well as to investigate correlations with demographic, individual and labor factors. The authors reported that reported that those being trained in Greece scored higher average levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization but this finding was not related to increase of medical errors (7).…”