1.Prevalence of impostor phenomenon and burnout in a Singapore health system.
Jun Hui TAN ; Ke Xin EH ; Zheng Jye LING
Singapore medical journal 2025;66(10):540-544
INTRODUCTION:
Impostor phenomenon (IP) is a set of feelings encountered by individuals of being incompetent, despite experiencing successes. IP affects not only individuals on a personal level, but also organisations where the leadership diversity decreases due to employees' self-doubt. We aim to investigate the prevalence of IP and burnout among employees in the National University Health System (NUHS).
METHODS:
All permanently employed full-time NUHS employees aged 21 years and above were invited to participate in this self-administered cross-sectional study between April 2021 and August 2021. Mass emails with the embedded study link were sent every 2-3 weeks to the employees' corporate email accounts.
RESULTS:
In our study, 61% of our study respondents reported having IP experiences and 97% reported having burnout. The associations of IP with ethnicity and age group were significant. Post hoc tests, however, showed that the association was statistically significant only in the 21-29 years age group.
CONCLUSION
We found that there was no statistical significance between gender and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) profile types. However, we found that IP was significantly associated with individuals in the 21-29 years age group. This could be because younger individuals who just entered workforce may feel uncomfortable with their newfound independence and responsibility. Workplace support, such as workshops, and emotional support were found to be useful in helping individuals cope with IP. Future studies could be done post coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic among healthcare workers to have a larger sample size to determine true IP and burnout prevalence.
Humans
;
Singapore/epidemiology*
;
Adult
;
Male
;
Female
;
Burnout, Professional/psychology*
;
Cross-Sectional Studies
;
Prevalence
;
Middle Aged
;
Young Adult
;
Surveys and Questionnaires
;
COVID-19/epidemiology*
;
Workplace/psychology*
2.Burnout among COVID-19 hospital-based contact tracers in Singapore: results of a mixed-method, cross-sectional multicentre study.
Ian Matthias NG ; Tzu-Jung WONG ; Yong YANG ; Indumathi VENKATACHALAM ; Jean Xiang Ying SIM ; Liang En WEE ; Tau Ming LIEW ; Evelyn BOON ; Tong Yong NG ; Hwi Kwang HAN ; Diana Yuen Lan TAN
Singapore medical journal 2025;66(12):651-658
INTRODUCTION:
During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, contact tracers were under immense pressure to deliver effective and timely contact tracing, raising concerns of higher susceptibility to burnout. Our study aimed to determine burnout prevalence among hospital-based contact tracers and associated risk factors, so that interventions to reduce burnout risk could be formulated.
METHODS:
One hundred and ninety-six active contact tracers across three hospitals within a healthcare cluster were invited to complete an anonymous online survey. To identify burntout, data such as demographics, work-related variables and contact tracing-related variables were collected using the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory. Associated factors were identified using multivariate statistics. Open-ended questions were included to understand the challenges and potential improvements through qualitative analysis.
RESULTS:
A total of 126 participants completed the survey, giving a completion rate of 64%, and almost half of these participants (42.9%) reported burnout. Protective factors included being on work-from-home arrangements (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.22, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.08-0.56), perception of being well supported by their institution (adjusted OR 0.25, 95% CI 0.08-0.80) and being married (adjusted OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.12-0.64). Risk factors included having an administrative role pre-COVID-19 (adjusted OR 3.62, 95% CI 1.33-9.83). Work-related burnout was related to being activated for more than 1 day in the preceding week (unadjusted OR 3.25, 95% CI 1.33-7.94) and multiple activations in a day (unadjusted OR 3.54, 95% CI 1.44-4.41). Biggest challenges identified by participants were language barrier (62.7%), followed by workflow-related issues (42.1%).
CONCLUSION
Our study demonstrated burnout and other challenges faced by a team of mostly hospital-based administrative staff redeployed on a part-time basis to ensure timely contact tracing. To mitigate burnout, we recommend choosing staff on work-from-home arrangements and ensuring adequate manpower and rostering arrangements.
Humans
;
COVID-19/epidemiology*
;
Burnout, Professional/epidemiology*
;
Singapore/epidemiology*
;
Female
;
Male
;
Cross-Sectional Studies
;
Adult
;
Middle Aged
;
Risk Factors
;
Surveys and Questionnaires
;
Contact Tracing/methods*
;
SARS-CoV-2
;
Prevalence
;
Pandemics
3.In my time: A qualitative exploration of the junior doctor experience in Singapore over the years.
Caitlin Alsandria O'HARA ; Nur Haidah Ahmad KAMAL ; En Ci Isaac ONG ; De Wei Isaac CHUNG ; Siew Ngan Faith LIM ; Malcolm Ravindran MAHADEVAN
Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore 2025;54(9):542-560
INTRODUCTION:
Despite efforts to improve junior doctors' working conditions, burnout, distress and disillusionment persist, with implications for patient outcomes. This qualitative study analysed factors shaping the lived experiences of junior doctors in Singapore and their changes over time, thereby seeking to inform improvements to working conditions.
METHOD:
Thirty purposively sampled respondents who were junior doctors in Singapore between 1975 and 2022 were interviewed. Respondents were grouped into 3 cohorts: (1) junior, (2) middle and (3) senior. Employing the framework method of qualitative analysis, open coding was performed with reference to the individual, interpersonal, institutional, community and policy levels of the socioecological model (SEM). Four themes emerged: (1) inherent challenges of junior doctorship, (2) exacerbating factors, (3) alleviating factors and (4) responses of junior doctors to their experiences. Codes were reconstructed into a modified SEM, demonstrating trickle-down effects of interpersonal or structural forces on the individual doctor and pertinent factors evolving with time.
RESULTS:
Across cohorts, respondents echoed mental and physical challenges. While senior cohort doctors recounted higher patient-to-doctor ratios and longer working hours, junior cohort doctors cited new difficulties. These include a hostile medicolegal landscape, patients' increasingly complex needs and expectations, and higher administrative loads. Amid these difficulties, alleviating factors included good workplace relationships alongside institutional interventions. Doctors responded differently to their challenges. Some externalised difficulties through expression and advocacy; others internalised them, whether into fulfilment or distress.
CONCLUSION
While some facets of junior doctorship have improved with time, new challenges that warrant consideration are emerging. Junior doctors should be centred, listened to and empowered in shaping improvements to working conditions.
Singapore
;
Humans
;
Qualitative Research
;
Medical Staff, Hospital/psychology*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Adult
;
Burnout, Professional/psychology*
;
Workload/psychology*
;
Attitude of Health Personnel
;
Interviews as Topic
;
Job Satisfaction
4.The relationship between effort-reward and work-life imbalances on job burnout among emergency ward nurses in an Indonesian Public Hospital
Ferry Fadzlul Rahman ; Fahni Haris ; Kellyana Irawati
Acta Medica Philippina 2024;58(Early Access 2024):1-7
Background:
Burnout is a pressing concern among Emergency Ward (EW) nurses, stemming from the intense demands of their profession, including long hours, exposure to traumatic events, and the need for quick decision-making. This issue not only affects nurses' well-being but also has repercussions for patient care and the healthcare system.
Objective:
This study aimed to investigate the association between effort-reward and work-life imbalance on burnout among EW nurses in a public hospital.
Methods:
The study was a cross-sectional analytical study conducted from February to May 2022 involving 32 EW nurses employed at Public Hospital I.A. Moeis Hospital in Samarinda City, Indonesia. The research employed several instruments for data collection through stratified random sampling. Chi square and logistic regression analysis were performed to assess the factors contributing to burnout among EW nurses, including effort-reward imbalance, worklife balance, namely monotonous work, self-efficacy, communication among healthcare professionals, and workload.
Result:
There was positive correlation between effort-reward and work-life imbalance on burnout among EW nurses. The multivariate test results showed that workload, self-efficacy, communication, and monotonous work had higher risk of developing burnout in EW nurses.
Conclusion
In this study, we found that effort-reward and work-life imbalance were significantly associated with burnout in EW nurses in a public hospital. The development of comprehensive assessment of burnout among EW nurses and its early intervention should be warranted.
Burnout, Psychological
;
Emergency Ward
;
Emergency Service, Hospital
;
Nurses
;
Hospitals, Public
5.Association between training culture and burnout among residents and fellows during the Covid-19 pandemic in a pediatric tertiary hospital
Alvin C. Agustin ; Soraya A. Alvarado
The Philippine Children’s Medical Center Journal 2024;20(2):1-15
OBJECTIVE:
Medical trainees have increased burnout compared to the general population. This may be attributed to physiological stress, increased workload, work demands, and the training culture. This study evaluated the association between the current training culture of the residents and fellows and prevalence of burnout at the Philippine Children‘s Medical Center.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Two validated survey instruments were utilized in this study: the Organizational Culture Assessment Instrument (OCAI) to assess the current and preferred training culture among the trainees, and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) to evaluate the prevalence of burnout among participants.
RESULTS:
Ninety-two (pediatric residents = 50; fellows = 42) trainees were included in the study. Whereas the current identified training culture in the institution was the market or compete culture, respondents preferred the clan or collaborative culture. Majority of trainees scored high among the 3 domains of burnout: 72% for emotional exhaustion, 64% for depersonalization, and 57% in personal accomplishment. Market culture was significantly associated with emotional exhaustion and depersonalization.
CONCLUSION
The prevalence of burnout among medical trainees is a significant issue that requires attention. It is essential to implement programs to decrease burnout and shift towards a supportive training culture. This study suggests a gradual shift towards a clan culture, which can help promote collaboration, mentorship, and mutual support among trainees. Such changes will not only improve the well-being of trainees, but also enhance the quality of patient care.
Burnout, Psychological
6.Work-related stress factors and psychological health of Filipino nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Janelle Castro ; Jocelyn Molo ; Jed Patrick Montero Catalan ; Norielee S. Magsingit ; Erlinda Palaganas ; Reynaldo R. Rivera ; Allison A. Norful
Philippine Journal of Nursing 2024;94(1):21-30
BACKGROUND
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly challenged global healthcare systems, particularly impacting the psychological health of nurses. This study examines the psychosocial impact and work-related stressors faced by Filipino nurses during the COVID-19 crisis.
METHODSAdescriptive cross-sectional survey was used to gather data from May 2021 to May 2022. Participants included registered nurses recruited from across the Philippines, focusing on their exposure to work related stressors, burnout, job satisfaction, and coping activities. The survey included validated items that measured work related variables (e.g., job responsibilities, workload) and personal stress management strategies. Descriptive statistics (means, standard deviations, frequencies, and percentages) were calculated to interpret the continuous and categorical variables.
RESULTSA total of 2,229 nurses participated in the survey. Findings indicate that 78.9% of nurses experienced increased workloads, and 36% were assigned to units outside their expertise. Despite the high stress and burnout rates (30.4% reported symptoms), 56.4% of nurses intended to stay in their positions. The most common coping strategies were use of social media (53.7%) and connecting with friends and family (51.5%).
CONCLUSIONFilipino nurses displayed considerable resilience despite facing severe work-related stressors and psychological strains during the pandemic. The study highlights significant stressors such as increased workload, role shifts, and the lack of clear workplace goals, contributing to burnout and reduced job satisfaction. This study underscores the need for enhanced support systems and policies to safeguard nurses' well-being, recommending more robust mental health services, adequate staffing, and the provision of necessary resources and training to prepare nurses for future health crises better.
Covid-19 ; Stress, Psychological ; Burnout, Psychological ; Job Satisfaction
7.The effectiveness of mindfulness meditation on burnout among healthcare workers: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Kristine Jeanica D. Atienza ; Kimberly S. Jimenez
The Filipino Family Physician 2024;62(1):155-170
INTRODUCTION
Burnout is becoming more common among healthcare professionals, notably during the COVID-19 pandemic. It can result in lower performance and effectiveness at work as well as employment withdrawal, all of which affects the standard of healthcare services provided.
OBJECTIVEIn order to ascertain the effectiveness of mindfulness meditation-based interventions (MMBIs) in reducing burnout among healthcare workers, a systematic review and meta-analysis was done.
METHODSTwo investigators searched records in CENTRAL, PubMed/MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Preprints, Grey Literature, and cross-referencing to acquire articles using search terms related to “mindfulness meditation”, “healthcare workers”, and “burnout”. Inclusion criteria included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and nonrandomized controlled trials (NRTs) that assessed the effectiveness of MMBIs on burnout as measured by the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) among healthcare workers in the hospital setting. Study selection, data extraction, risk of bias assessment were done by the investigators independently. Analysis was done using RevMan 5 software, forest plots were generated, and subgroup analyses were done.
RESULTSOf 25,453 identified records, 28 studies were included. The studies were rated with low to unclear selection bias and high risk of performance bias. MMBIs were associated with significant reduction on the emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and personal accomplishment subscales with pooled mean differences of -2.60 (95% CI = -3.64, -1.55), -0.51 (95% CI = -0.77, -0.26), and 0.82 (95% CI = 0.24, 1.39), respectively. On subgroup analyses, the types of MMBI implemented had no influence in the intervention effect noted on all subscales among RCTs but had significant influence among NRTs. Reduction of burnout was noted to be higher in nurses compared with physicians and mixed healthcare workers. Overall quality of evidence for RCTs was low to moderate and very low to low for NRTs.
CONCLUSIONThe results suggest that MMBIs can reduce the burnout symptoms of healthcare workers. To address the high risk of bias of included studies and improve quality of evidence, future research should be done with high-quality RCTs.
Meditation ; Burnout, Psychological ; Health Personnel ; Healthcare Workers
8.Relationship between work-related burnout and level of life satisfaction among Hospital Operations and Patient Support Service (HOPSS) employees of a tertiary government hospital in 2023: A cross-sectional study
The Filipino Family Physician 2024;62(2):310-316
BACKGROUND
Hospitals in the Philippines have been a workhorse even before the COVID-19 pandemic hit the country. Risk of burnout is high among healthcare providers and it can have a significant impact on the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare delivery. Identification of employee burnout is important since it is usually overlooked and it is presumed to be related to a lower level of life satisfaction.
OBJECTIVETo correlate the Level of Life Satisfaction and Work-Related Burnout among the Hospital Operation and Patient Support Service Employees of a tertiary government gospital in 2023.
METHODSA cross-sectional study was used to evaluate the correlation of work-related burnout and level of life satisfaction using self-administered questionnaires to regular HOPSS employees. Data gathered was then analyzed to get the descriptive statistics and to test the Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r).
RESULTSMost of the respondents are of the male gender and belonged in the 31 to 40 years age group. The average age of the respondents is marked at 40.3 years old and the average stay in the institution is 7.8 years. Burnout assessment revealed a majority of low burnout levels across the three dimensions of burnout, whereas level of life satisfaction was generally high. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was -0.46578 with a p-value of 0.00305.
CONCLUSIONThe study has shown a statistically significant negative correlation between the level of work-related burnout and the level of life satisfaction, wherein there is a higher level of life satisfaction among those with lower levels of work-related burnout.
Human ; Burnout, Psychological ; Life Satisfaction ; Personal Satisfaction
9.Safety attitudes, burnout and well-being among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: an Indo-Pacific regional cross-sectional study.
Abhiram KANNEGANTI ; Benjamin Yong Qiang TAN ; Nik Hisamuddin NIK AB RAHMAN ; Aloysius Sheng-Ting LEOW ; Max DENNING ; Ee Teng GOH ; Lucas Jun HAO LIM ; Ching-Hui SIA ; Ying Xian CHUA ; James KINROSS ; Melanie TAN ; Li Feng TAN ; Yi Min WAN ; Arvind SHARMA ; Rivan DANUAJI ; R N KOMAL KUMAR ; Chew Keng SHENG ; Cheah Phee KHENG ; Sarah Shaikh ABDUL KARIM ; Mohd Najib ABDUL GHANI ; Suhaimi MAHMUD ; Yiong Huak CHAN ; Vijay Kumar SHARMA ; Kang SIM ; Shirley Beng SUAT OOI
Singapore medical journal 2023;64(11):667-676
INTRODUCTION:
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had an unprecedented impact in Asia and has placed significant burden on already stretched healthcare systems. We examined the impact of COVID-19 on the safety attitudes among healthcare workers (HCWs), as well as their associated demographic and occupational factors, and measures of burnout, depression and anxiety.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional survey study utilising snowball sampling was performed involving doctors, nurses and allied health professions from 23 hospitals in Singapore, Malaysia, India and Indonesia between 29 May 2020 and 13 July 2020. This survey collated demographic data and workplace conditions and included three validated questionnaires: the Safety Attitudes Questionnaire (SAQ), Oldenburg Burnout Inventory and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. We performed multivariate mixed-model regression to assess independent associations with the SAQ total percentage agree rate (PAR).
RESULTS:
We obtained 3,163 responses. The SAQ total PARs were found to be 35.7%, 15.0%, 51.0% and 3.3% among the respondents from Singapore, Malaysia, India and Indonesia, respectively. Burnout scores were highest among respondents from Indonesia and lowest among respondents from India (70.9%-85.4% vs. 56.3%-63.6%, respectively). Multivariate analyses revealed that meeting burnout and depression thresholds and shifts lasting ≥12 h were significantly associated with lower SAQ total PAR.
CONCLUSION
Addressing the factors contributing to high burnout and depression and placing strict limits on work hours per shift may contribute significantly towards improving safety culture among HCWs and should remain priorities during the pandemic.
Humans
;
Cross-Sectional Studies
;
Pandemics
;
COVID-19/epidemiology*
;
Burnout, Psychological
;
Health Personnel
10.Association between maternal job burnout and adolescent depression: the chain mediating effect of maternal depression and parenting style.
Yu-Ting LI ; Ying-Yan ZHONG ; Jian-Hua CHEN ; Xin-Xin HUANG ; En-Zhao CONG ; Yi-Feng XU
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2023;25(2):186-192
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the association between maternal job burnout and adolescent depression and the mediating effect of maternal depression and parenting style.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional study was conducted. The cluster random sampling method was used to select 2 572 adolescents from 7 middle schools in Shanghai, China, from April to May, 2021. A survey was performed for these adolescents and their mothers. The research tools included a general information questionnaire, Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, short-form of Egna Minnen av Barndoms Uppfostran, and Children's Depression Inventory. A structural equation model was established, and the Bootstrap method was used to investigate the mediating effect.
RESULTS:
The detection rate of depressive symptoms was 12.71% (327/2 572) among the adolescents. The scores of maternal job burnout, maternal depression, and negative parenting style were positively correlated with the score of adolescent depression (P<0.05), and the score of positive parenting style was negatively correlated with the score of adolescent depression (P<0.05). Maternal depression and parenting style played a mediating role between maternal job burnout and adolescent depression, including the individual mediating effect of maternal depression, the individual mediating effect of positive parenting style, and the chain mediating effect of maternal depression-negative/positive parenting style.
CONCLUSIONS
Maternal job burnout may affect adolescent depression through the mediating effect of depression, parenting style, and depression-parenting style, suggesting that the symptoms of adolescent depression can be reduced by alleviating maternal job burnout, improving maternal depression, increasing positive parenting behaviors, and reducing negative parenting behaviors.
Child
;
Adolescent
;
Humans
;
Cross-Sectional Studies
;
Depression/etiology*
;
Parenting
;
China
;
Burnout, Psychological


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