Unmasking Burnout in Romanian Primary Care: Implications for Healthcare Careers and Well-Being in Pandemic Times

Authors

  • Ioana Silistraru Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, Sibiu, Romania Department of Sociology, Journalism, Communication and Public Relations
  • Oana Olariu Dunărea de Jos University of Galați, Galați, România School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Clinical Department
  • Anamaria Ciubara Dunărea de Jos University of Galați, Galați, România School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Clinical Department
  • Stefan Rosca Dunărea de Jos University of Galați, Galați, România School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Medical Department
  • Doina Azoicăi Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi School of Medicine, Department of Preventive Medicine and Interdisciplinarity
  • Anisia-Iuliana Alexa School of Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi 2nd Surgical Department
  • Florentina Severin School of Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi 2nd Surgical Department
  • Pusica Zainea Dunărea de Jos University of Galați, Galați, România School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Medical Department
  • Lucretia Anghel Dunărea de Jos University of Galați, Galați, România School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Medical Department
  • Radu Danila Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iași School of Medicine, Surgical Department
  • Ioan-Adrian Ciureanu Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iași School of Medicine, Medical Informatics and Biostatistics Department

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18662/brain/15.1/561

Keywords:

burnout, primary care physicians, COVID-19, mental health, healthcare

Abstract

This cross-sectional study investigates primary care physicians' intentions to change occupations and the presence of burnout in Romania in the pandemic. The research was carried out using an updated version of the MBI-Human Services Survey for Medical Personnel - MBI-HSS (MP) questionnaire. Our sample group consisted of 95 Romanian family doctors, of which 85 were female and 10 were male. 70.58% of female respondents reported having a high level of emotional Exhaustion, while 100% of male participants reported having the same raised levels of Exhaustion. 50% of men and 34.11% of women reported significant levels of Depersonalization, whereas 41.17% of female respondents indicated the lowest levels of Depersonalization.

Regarding personal accomplishment, 40% of men and 27.05% of women indicated they had high levels of PA. Based on statistical analysis, there is no significant correlation between gender and burnout dimensions, indicating that primary care physicians are at risk for burnout regardless of gender. The study also looked at an inclination to switch to a different medical speciality because of burnout. Of the participants, 55.78% said they would opt for the same specialisation again, 29.47% said they were unsure, and 33.68% said they would not choose the same medical profession again if given the chance. According to the findings, there appears to be a positive correlation between Depersonalization and the intention to change careers. Specifically, higher Depersonalisation scores were associated with a higher probability of considering changing careers. Emotional Exhaustion and personal achievement, however, did not substantially correlate with changing professions.

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Published

2024-02-06

How to Cite

Silistraru, I., Olariu, O., Ciubara, A., Rosca, S., Azoicăi, D., Alexa, A.-I. ., Severin, F., Zainea, P., Anghel, L., Danila, R., & Ciureanu, I.-A. (2024). Unmasking Burnout in Romanian Primary Care: Implications for Healthcare Careers and Well-Being in Pandemic Times. BRAIN. Broad Research in Artificial Intelligence and Neuroscience, 15(1), 444-458. https://doi.org/10.18662/brain/15.1/561

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