Burnout among psychiatrists in Milan: a multicenter survey

• Published in: Psychiatric services (Washington, D.C.) Vol. 60; no. 7; pp. 985 - 988
• Main Authors: Bressi, Cinzia, Porcellana, Matteo, Gambini, Orsola, Madia, Luca, Muffatti, Riccardo, Peirone, Alberto, Zanini, Susanna, Erlicher, Arcadio, Scarone, Silvio, Altamura, A Carlo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.07.2009
• ISSN: 1557-9700
• DOI: 10.1176/appi.ps.60.7.985

OBJECTIVESThis study evaluated the prevalence of job burnout and estimated psychiatric morbidity and job satisfaction among psychiatrists in Milan. Also investigated were the contributions of personal and environmental factors to burnout.METHODSData were gathered via a cross-sectional, descriptive, multicenter survey. All psychiatrists working in departments of psychiatry within the Italian Public Health System in Milan were invited to participate, and an overall response rate of 70% (N=81) was achieved. The Maslach Burnout Inventory, the 12-item General Health Questionnaire, a job satisfaction measure, and a study-specific questionnaire were used in the assessments.RESULTSPsychiatrists showed high levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. Main sources of stress were related to work environment. According to regression models, the variable that most predicted burnout was a low level of job satisfaction.CONCLUSIONSData suggested that psychiatrists had higher levels of burnout than other physicians employed in general medical settings and confirmed that job satisfaction could have a protective role.