Mental health and burnout among physicians in general hospital and community hospital in Nakhon Ratchasima province

Abstract

Objective: The objectives are to study the level of mental health status and job burnout syndrome among physicians in general hospitals and community hospitals in Nakhon Ratchasima province, the relationships between the mental health status and burnout syndrome and predictive factors of burnout syndrome in physicians.

Method: A sample of 185 physicians in general hospitals and community hospitals of Nakhon Ratchasima were asked to answer the TMHI-55 questionnaire which were sent by mail. The questionnaire consist of burnout syndrome assessment form designed for public health officers. Pearson's product correlation coefficient was applied to calculate a relationship and stepwise multiple regression analysis to calculate predictive factors.

Result: The respond rate was 60.5%. The samples were 51.8% males with an average age 29.24 years old. Their mental health status was at the same level as the general population in all aspects including 43.7% with a high level of emotional exhaustion, 45.5% with a high level of depersonalization and 100% of with a high level of personal accomplishment. Mental health status had a negative correlation with burnouts syndrome Mental health status, specialty, and job satisfaction can predict emotional exhaustion and depersonalization by 50.5% and 45.5%, respectively. While mental health, female and working hours per week were predict personal success by 45.5%.

Summary: The burnout among physicians has been observed in all domain. Some risk and protective factors predicting burnout were reported. The burnout intervention for physicians should be considered as priority in health care system development in Thailand.