Prevalence of burnout among psychiatrists : A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background
Burnout is a consequence of chronic occupational stress exposure. Psychiatrists are prone to burnout due to specific work-related factors. This study examined the burnout prevalence among psychiatrists.

Methods
The study protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42020204615). We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, PsycINFO, Web of Science, ClinicalTrials.gov, and OpenGrey for relevant publications. Random-effect meta-analysis was performed. We used subgroup analysis and meta-regression to reveal any association of geographical region, survey year, participants' age, gender, and response rate with burnout.

Results
Thirty-six studies involving 5481 participants were included. The prevalence of overall burnout was 25.9% [11.1%–40.7%] as measured by a Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and 50.3% [30.9%–69.8%] as measured by a Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI). The pooled prevalence was 43.5% [27.9%–59%] for high emotional exhaustion (EE), 28.2% [17.5%–38.9%] for high depersonalization (DP), and 32.4% [3.4%–61.3%] for low personal accomplishment (PA). The mean scores of 22-item MBI subscales were 21.51 [18.64%–24.38%] for EE, 6.57 [5.53%–7.62%] for DP, and 31.83 [25.73%–37.94%] for PA. European psychiatrists revealed (p = 0.045) lower EE score (20.82; 95% CI 7.24–24.41) measured by 22-item MBI compared to their non-European colleagues (24.99; 95% CI 23.05–26.94). Other results include mean scores for 16-item MBI-General Survey, burnout rates, and scores in CBI subscales.

Limitations
The main limitation was high heterogeneity in terms of statistics, screening methods, burnout definitions, and cut-off points utilized in included studies.

Conclusions
Burnout is highly prevalent among psychiatrists. Future research should focus on finding consensus on burnout screening, longitudinal evaluation of psychiatrists' burnout predictors, and development of effective intervention strategies.

Highlights

•  This meta-analysis included 36 studies and 5481 individuals.

•  A quarter to half of psychiatrists revealed burnout based on the screening scale used.

•  Participants' age and gender, and a year of a survey did not affect burnout rates.

•  Psychiatrists' burnout is a highly heterogeneous research area.