Prevalence of job burnout and associated influencing factors among healthcare workers in China

Yanyan Sun; Jin Wang; Xiaoman Liu; Fang Yuan; Huiqing Chen; Ruijie Ling; Dan YU; Jianfang Zou; Shuang LI

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Prevalence of job burnout and associated influencing factors among healthcare workers in China

VernacularTitle:中国医务人员职业倦怠水平及影响因素
Author: Yanyan SUN ¹ ; Jin WANG ¹ ; Xiaoman LIU ¹ ; Fang YUAN ² ; Huiqing CHEN ³ ; Ruijie LING ⁴ ; Dan YU ⁵ ; Jianfang ZOU ⁶ ; Shuang LI ¹
Author Information

1. National Institute of Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100050, China.
2. Chongqing Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chongqing 400042, China.
3. Guangdong Province Hospital for Occupational Disease Prevention and Treatment, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510300, China.
4. Hubei Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital, Wuhan, Hubei 430015, China.
5. Hunan Prevention and Treatment Institute for Occupational Diseases, Changsha, Hunan 410007, China.
6. Shandong Academy of Occupational Health and Occupational Medicine, Jinan, Shandong 250030, China.
Publication Type:Specialcolumn:Studyonjobburnout
Keywords: healthcare worker; burnout; depressive symptom; occupational stress; influencing factor
From: Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2023;40(4):405-412
CountryChina
Language:Chinese
Abstract: Background Healthcare workers suffer from great internal and external pressure and are prone to burnout. Existing studies have shown that depressive symptoms are important influencing factors of burnout, both of which are closely related to job stress. Objective To analyze overall prevalence of burnout among healthcare workers using a new survey tool developed by our team, and to reveal potential influencing factors related to burnout. Methods A cross-sectional multi-center study was conducted in August–October 2019 and June–September 2020, using multi-stage stratified cluster sampling. A total of 8738 healthcare workers from 22 hospitals in 5 provinces (Shandong, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong, and Chongqing) of China were selected in this study. A set of survey questionnaires, including the general information questionnaire and the Chinese versions of General Burnout Scale, Core Occupational Stress Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and Self-administered Sleep Questionnaire were distributed. Independent samples t-test or one-way ANOVA were employed for inter-group comparison of burnout. Spearman correlation was used to evaluate correlations among burnout, depressive symptoms, and occupational stress. Stepwise linear regression was conducted to identify factors independently associated with burnout. Process plug-in was used to test potential mediating effect of depressive symptoms on occupational stress and burnout. Results Of the 8738 questionnaires distributed, 8456 valid questionnaires were collected, and the recovery rate was 96.77%. Among the 8456 healthcare workers, the prevalence of burnout was 58.0%, that of occupational stress was 31.8%, and that of depressive symptoms was 31.0%. Among those with depressive symptoms and occupational stress, the proportions of burnout were 86.7% and 83.7%, respectively. According to the stepwise linear regression analysis, depressive symptoms, occupational stress, work experience, drinking, and marital status were all independent influencing factors of burnout. Especially, depressive symptoms, social support, and organization and reward had significant influences on burnout (b'=0.455, −0.183, 0.220, P<0.001). Depressive symptoms showed mediating effects on occupational stress (and its subscales) and burnout, and the contribution rates of the mediating effects were 41.00%, 47.02%, 43.44%, 56.62%, and 59.45%, respectively. Conclusion Burnout is a prominent problem among healthcare workers in the 5 provinces, with the prevalence of 58.0%. And nearly 1/3 suffering from depressive symptoms and occupational stress, which has a great impact on burnout.