Empathy and burnout: A multicentre comparative study between residents and specialists

Abstract

Rationale, Aims, and Objectives:The prevalence of burnout among medical doctors and its negative effect on empathy can influence therapeutic success. The aim of this study was to compare the levels of empathy and burnout between residents and specialists as well as to study the correlation between empathy and burnout. Methods: This is an exploratory study of a convenience sample of 104 doctors who work in health institutions in Greater Lisbon area in Portugal, covering central hospitals, district hospitals, and health centres. Each doctor filled in a questionnaire, which included the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and the Jefferson Scale of Empathy (JSE).Results: Participants were divided in two subgroups: 51% residents (n = 53) and 49% specialists (n = 51). A difference (p = .048) in JSE scores between residents (mean 116.4, SD 12.8) and specialists (mean 120.78, SD 12.84) has been identified. Furthermore, in all three MBI subscales (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and lack of personal accomplishment), the group of residents showed significantly higher mean scores. In general, empathy scores showed an inverse relationship between depersonalization (r = -0.390, p < .0001) and lack of personal accomplishment (r = -0.447, p < .0001). Finally, we found that an increase in MBI level is associated with a decrease in empathy levels. Conclusion:Our findings suggest that there is a significant difference in burnout subscales scores between residents and specialists and that these have a negative correlation with empathy level. These exploratory results draw attention to the importance of preventing burnout in hospital and health care centres professionals, in particular in residents, through the implementation of individual and organizational structured measures.

Predictors of Physician Compassion, Empathy, and Related Constructs: a Systematic Review

“…Conversely, personal problems predicted lower ECRC 87 , 131 , 146 , 148 . Good subjective health predicted greater ECRC 87 , 107 , 131 , while signs of fatigue 38 , 87 , 93 , 145 , 146 , 149 , 153 , 159 , burnout 65 , 84 , 93 , 124 , 147 , 148 , 158 , 160 – 166 , and stress 98 , 131 , 148 , 158 , 160 , 167 tended to associated with ECRC negatively. The evidence regarding the effects of compassion fatigue on ECRC 52 , 65 , 154 or evidence related to mental health (i.e., mental well-being and anxiety) in relation to ECRC 50 , 77 or was too scarce and/or unclear.…”

“…Second to professional characteristics, a high proportion of mostly quantitative studies examined socio-demographic factors. Female gender was associated with higher ECRC in numerous studies 41 , 43 , 45 , 47 , 49 , 52 , 55 , 58 , 61 , 64 , 81 – 83 , 92 , 94 , 95 , 99 , 101 , 103 , 108 , 113 – 117 but a comparable number showed no gender effect 39 , 48 , 50 , 51 , 54 , 60 , 72 , 74 , 76 – 80 , 84 , 86 , 96 , 105 , 106 , 116 , 118 – 121 ; three studies reported males as more compassionate 53 , 111 , 112 . Evidence regarding age was similarly conflicted 39 – 41 , 43 , 47 , 49 – 51 , 54 , 55 , 58 , 60 , 72 , 77 , 80 , 82 , 84 , 86 , 95 , 99 , 106 ...…”

“…Finally, a small number of predominantly qualitative studies showed spirituality 89 , 136 , meaning 136 , and religiosity 137 to predict greater ECRC, although there was no effect of religion 39 . The evidence regarding factors such as living situation 39 , 42 , 72 , 82 , upbringing 98 , 113 , 131 , siblings 64 , 76 , having children 39 , 41 , 49 , 64 , 77 , 111 – 113 , 138 , 139 , the number of children 72 , 82 , 84 , 140 , and marital status 43 , 47 , 49 , 50 , 63 , 64 , 72 , 76 , 77 , 83 , 84 , 86 was conflicted and, hence, inconclusive.…”

A Mindfulness Program to Improve Resident Physicians’ Personal and Work-Related Well-being: a Feasibility Study

“…The high levels of burnout during residency have detrimental personal consequences such as substance abuse (Lebensohn et al 2013) and suicidal thoughts (van der Heijden et al 2008). Furthermore, when suffering from burnout resident physicians commit more medical errors (Baer et al 2017;Prins et al 2009), express lower empathy (Ferreira et al 2020;Park et al 2016), and adhere less to practice and safety standards (de Oliveira et al 2013).…”

The effect of empathy training given to midwives on the empathic communication skills of midwives and the birth satisfaction of mothers giving birth with the help of these midwives: A quasi‐experimental study

“…On the other hand, it should not be forgotten that the high empathic skills of midwives and other personnel may lead to compassion fatigue, secondary stress and compassion fatigue over time 34,35 . Çankaya et al (2020) 36 argued that the high empathic approach of some midwives who witnessed traumatic births caused secondary trauma.…”