Proposed Topic (Most preferred): :
Staff Engagement and Empowerment (motivating staff / teamwork / work revamp tackling manpower issue / staff wellness / OSH / retention)
Proposed Topic (Second preferred): :
HA Young Investigators Session (Projects to be presented by HA staff who had joined HA for 10 years or less)
Authors (including presenting author) :
Chan TK (1), Lui CT (1), Wu WYC (2), Leung CS (3), Rainer TH (4)(5)
Affiliation :
(1)Accident and Emergency Department, Tuen Mun Hospital, (2)Emergency Medicine Centre, Union Hospital, (3)Accident and Emergency Department, Princess Margaret Hospital, (4)Accident and Emergency Department, Queen Mary Hospital, (5)Department of Emergency Medicine, The University of Hong Kong
Introduction :
Burnout is prevalent in the medical field across the world, especially among emergency physicians. Burnout can affect the quality of healthcare - physicians with burnout are more prone to making mistakes, reduced professional work effort and poor communication with patients. Burnout can also affect physicians’ individual well-being, including a higher risk of depression, lower job satisfaction and lower quality of life. In Hong Kong, there were cross-sectional studies on burnout involving all specialties before, but data specific on emergency physicians is lacking.
Objectives :
To evaluate the prevalence of burnout, its underlying personal or occupational stressors, and impact on individual well-being and patient care.
Methodology :
Design: Cross-sectional survey. Participants: All emergency physicians in public and private sector in Hong Kong. Method: Self-administered, anonymous, voluntary questionnaires were distributed in physical and electronic forms from April to June 2022. Burnout was assessed by the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). Stressors were assessed by questions on demographic, occupational and social background. Impact was assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for depression, and questions on job satisfaction and self-perceived patient care.
Result & Outcome :
Results: Response rate was 37.8% (n=241). Prevalence of high overall burnout was 28.2% (n=68), with 47.7% (n=115) having high emotional exhaustion, 63.1% (n=152) high depersonalization, and 56% (n=135) low personal accomplishment. A higher burnout rate was observed in younger age, female, not married, across job positions (associated consultant, resident specialist, higher trainee), working on shift duty, more night shifts, and more consecutive shifts. Burnout is also associated with depression, suicidal idea, considering quitting, less job satisfaction, and less favourable patient care. Conclusion: Burnout was prevalent in emergency physicians in Hong Kong, and its impact on individual well-being and clinical care was evident. A higher burnout rate was observed in younger doctors and also fellows. Identified stressors such as shift pattern should be addressed and potentially improved. Further strategies should be explored to reduce burnout in our colleagues.
