Burnout and Stress Among Emergency Physicians in the Kingdom of Bahrain Using the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI) and Short Form-stress Overload Scale (SOS-S)

Abstract

Background: Emergency physicians (EPs) are exposed to various stressors that lead to burnout, and these factors have never been examined in the emergency departments (EDs) of the Kingdom of Bahrain. The study identifies the prevalence rates and associated variables for burnout and stress among EPs in Bahrain’s EDs.Methods: A cross sectional study involving 134 EPs working in the ED for the three major tertiary hospitals completed the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI) and Stress Overload Scale-Short Form (SOS-S).Results: The survey had a response rate of 86.7% (n=116). The prevalence rate was 81.0% for personal burnout (M: 63.0, SD: 22.4; CI: 67.0% - 83.3%), 69.8% for work-related burnout (M: 60.3, SD: 21.6; CI: 60.6%- 78.0%), and 40.5% for patient-related burnout (M: 43.1, SD: 25.4; CI: 31.5% - 50.0%). Approximately 23.9% EPs were at high risk for illness. The CBI and SOS-S subscales had statistically significant correlations, illustrating that higher personal, work-related, and patient-related burnout was associated with higher personal vulnerability, event load, and stress overload. Being female, Bahraini, Chief Resident or Consultant, working >50 hours per week, taking at least one sick leave in the last year, and experiencing sleep disturbances and workplace violence were all contributing factors to higher burnout and stress levels. Conclusion: The prevalence of burnout and stress among the EPs in Bahrain is high and reflects a significant problem. Several demographic and occupational factors are closely related to burnout and stress, and need to be addressed to higher authorities in order to implement protective measures.

High levels of burnout among health professionals treating COVID-19 patients in two Nile basin countries with limited resources

“…Increasing working hours per week was associated with higher levels of emotional exhaustion among Egyptian HCPs similar to that reported in Galván 41 and Hathout 30 studies and to the levels of patient-related burnout reported among emergency physicians working > 40 h using the Copenhagen tool 10 . While the increasing hours were found not significantly different in another study 20 .…”

Burnout among frontline health professionals in two African countries: a cross sectional study from Egypt and Sudan

“…Increasing working hours per week was associated with higher levels of emotional exhaustion among Egyptian HCPs similar to that reported in Galván 52 and Hathout 42 studies and to the levels of patientrelated burnout reported among emergency physicians working > 40 hours using Copenhagen tool. 10 While the increasing hours were found not signi cantly different in another study. 32 It was found that from the reasons behind the psychological consequences caused by the pandemic to HCPs were working more hours than usual that can be exceeded to making double shifts.…”

“…Long term contact with patient and development of family-like relations may also result in emotional detachment and burnout. 6,9,10 The consequences of burnout affect HCPs, patients and organizations. Consequences on HCPs include the potential unemployment, early retirement or career termination, sickness, injury, accidents, nancial loss, more family and personal relationship con icts, decreased job satisfaction, poor health outcomes such as depression, frequent headaches, insomnia, anxiety and becoming offensive or violent at work with higher suicide rates.…”