Stress and occupational burnout in a population of Polish doctors – Organizational-professional and non-professional-social predictors

Introduction and objective. Numerous studies have found that doctors are exposed to stress and burnout at work. In consequence, these processes lead to a decrease in the quality of life. The study aimed to determine whether professional burnout, understood as a cognitive existential process, is related to stress at work and if any of the four dimensions of burnout are its predictor. The study also analyzed relations between organizational-professional and non-professional-social factors and burnout and stress at work. Materials and method. 318 doctors (210 women, 108 men), aged 27 – 8, participated in the study. Link Burnout Questionnaire (LBQ) was used to measure burnout, and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) to measure the variable describing the current level of stress. Results. Occupational burnout is related to stress. Two of its symptoms: exhaustion and lack of a sense of professional effectiveness, are important predictors for the sense of stress experienced by the examined group of doctors. The individuals who are in a partner relationship (but not marriage) experienced a stronger sense of non-professional effectiveness than those who were single. Being in an informal relationship is related to the level of stress and lack of a sense of professional effectiveness. The level of stress, as well as all burnout indicators, are connected with the function of a team leader and having passion. The frequency of taking leave and using social networks is related to the level of stress and burnout. Conclusions. Problems related to burnout in doctors, and therefore people professionally involved in helping and treating, must not be underestimated, as evidenced by the results of the presented study Professional burnout of doctors leads to somatic and psychological problems. Doctors suffering from occupational burnout need support and psychological assistance the same as any other professional group.