Abstract
Introduction
Burnout syndrome (BOS) is a work-related condition characterized by emotional exhaustion,
chronic stress, and a sense of disillusionment with one's profession. It is particularly
prevalent among health care professionals, especially neurosurgeons, and has been
linked to higher rates of resignation and reduced job satisfaction. However, the prevalence
and impact of BOS specifically among Thai neurosurgeons have not been extensively
studied.
Objectives
This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of BOS among Thai neurosurgeons and identify
the key risk factors associated with its development.
Methods
This was a multicenter, prospective cross-sectional study conducted across five hospitals
in Thailand. Data on BOS were collected through electronic questionnaires administered
to Thai neurosurgeons. BOS was assessed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory, which
measures burnout across three key dimensions: depersonalization, emotional exhaustion,
and reduced personal accomplishment. Variance inflation factors were calculated to
assess multicollinearity and ensure the reliability of the logistic regression results.
Results
The overall prevalence of BOS among Thai neurosurgeons was found to be 52%. Multivariate
analysis identified several significant risk factors for BOS, including age over 40
years, less than 5 years of experience in neurosurgery, perceived excessive workload,
monthly income below 60,000 Baht, consideration of resignation in the past year, a
need for more than 2 days of vacation per week, and patient length of stay exceeding
10 days.
Conclusion
This study demonstrated a high prevalence of BOS among Thai neurosurgeons, emphasizing
the urgent need for targeted interventions to prevent and address BOS within this
group.
Keywords
burnout syndrome - emotion exhaustion - depersonalization - personal accomplishment
- neurosurgeons
