Burnout and Job Stress of Anaesthesiologists in The Tertiary-Class A Hospital Northwest China: A Questionnaire Survey

Abstract Background Our purpose was to assess job stress and burnout among anaesthesiologists in The Tertiary-class A Hospital Northwest China. Objectives Analyzes the possible causes and adverse consequences of increased job stress and burnout of anaesthesiologists in this region and puts forward suggestions in combination with the current national policies. Study Design: Questionnaire survey. Setting: Data were collected in the Northwest China from February 2020 until April 2020. Methods We sent electronic questionnaires to all 1960–2017 practising anaesthesiologists of The Tertiary-class A Hospital Northwest China. Of those, 338 (67.6%) were returned and could be used for analysis. Burnout and job stress were assessed by using modified Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey and Chinese Perceived Stress Scale, respectively. Results First, as for emotional exhaustion, the situations of anaesthesiologists with different working years and workload are different with statistical significance (P < 0.05); Second, as for depersonalization, the situations of anaesthesiologists with different age, professional title, working years, physical health status and workload are different(P < 0.05); Third, as for personal accomplishment, the situations of anaesthesiologists with different physical health status are different (P < 0.05); Finally, The regression results showed that the longer the fatigue working years and the worse the physical health of anaesthesiologists in Northwest China, the more likely these two factors were to cause burnout (P < 0.05), as for job stress, there was a negative correlation between job stress and physical health status (P < 0.05). Conclusions Burnout and high job pressure are common among anaesthesiologists in The Tertiary-class A Hospital in Northwest China. We should focus on the allocation of labor intensity, pay attention to the physical and mental health of employees, establish targeted incentive mechanism, and improve the system of promotion and income rises for grassroots doctors. This may be not only conducive to the quality of medical care for patients, but also conducive to the development of anaesthesiology in China. Trial Registration: ChiCTR2000031316. Date registered: Mar 27, 2020.