PREVALENCE OF BURNOUT SYNDROME AND ITS IMPACT ON QUALITY OF LIFE; A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Burnout syndrome is a psychological condition resulting from prolonged exposure to occupational stress, characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment. Medical officers are particularly vulnerable to burnout due to their demanding work schedules, high emotional burden, and stressful environments. This syndrome negatively affects their quality of life, leading to diminished job performance and well-being, and poses risks to the healthcare system and patient care quality.

Objective: The study aimed to assess the prevalence of burnout syndrome and its impact on the quality of life among medical officers.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from February 17, 2024, to June 17, 2024, across eight major hospitals in Faisalabad, Pakistan. Using purposive sampling, 111 medical officers aged 24–40 years with at least one year of clinical experience and working over 8 hours per day were included. Participants with congenital disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, diagnosed anxiety or depression, prior medication use, or non-clinical roles were excluded. Data were collected using a socio-demographic questionnaire, the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), and the SF-36 Quality of Life (QOL) scale. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS version 26, and the association between burnout domains and quality of life was determined through correlation analysis.

Results: Burnout levels were high in 45.9% for emotional exhaustion, 66.7% for depersonalization, and 79.3% for low personal accomplishment. Moderate burnout levels were observed in 41.4%, 23.4%, and 11.7% for these domains, respectively. Correlation analysis showed a significant negative association between personal accomplishment and quality of life (p = 0.01), with weaker negative correlations for emotional exhaustion (p = 0.507) and depersonalization (p = 0.510).

Conclusion: Burnout syndrome is highly prevalent among medical officers and significantly impacts their quality of life. Targeted interventions focusing on stress management, work-life balance, and resilience-building are crucial to mitigate burnout and improve healthcare outcomes.