Burnout, Depression, and Anxiety in Teaching Professors of an Educational Hospital of Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Burnout is prevalent in several physicians that may undermine the progress nad performance of physicians, reduced accessibility of patients to physicians, and patients’ safety. This study endeavored to determine burnout, anxiety, and depression in the specialists and attending physicians of one of the educational hospitals of Tehran University of Medical Sciences.

This cross-sectional study conducted in the academic year 2018. One-hundred twenty-three physicians filled the Malach Burnout Inventory (MBI) questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety, and Depression Survey (HADS) questionnaires.

Forty-four physicians (35.8%) had some levels of burnout. Severe Emotional Exhaustion (EE) was seen in 18 physicians (14.6%). Likewise, severe Depersonalization (DP) in 12 physicians (9.8%), and severe dysfunction in Personal Accomplishment (PA) were seen in 33 physicians (26.8%). Four physicians (3%) had an abnormal level of anxiety, and 32 subjects (26%) were in the borderline zone. Four (3.2%) had abnormal depression, and 12 subjects (9.8%) had a borderline depression. There was a significant relationship between attending teacher type (i.e., educational, research, or treatment) and dysfunction of personal accomplishment (X2 = 12.24, p = 0.02). Moreover, anxiety was higher in non-married physicians (p = 0.046); anxiety was higher in part-time physicians as well (p = 0.03).

Findings revealed that burnout is an essential issue in attending physicians of educational hospitals. Identifying and managing burnout and its adverse effects could eliminate further health complications for the physicians and under-treating patients.