The prevalence of burnout and depression among medical doctors working in the Cape Town Metropole community health care clinics and district hospitals of the Provincial Government of the Western Cape : a cross-sectional study

Date
2011-12
Journal Title
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Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
Aim: This study investigated burnout and depression among medical doctors in the context of work-related conditions and the role of resilience as a modifiable factor. Methods: A cross-sectional, observational study was conducted on all consenting medical doctors (N=132) working at Cape Town metropole primary health care facilities of the Provincial Government of the Western Cape. Data were collected from doctors at 27 facilities by means of a self-administered questionnaire battery containing socio-demographic information, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). Results: Of 132 doctors included in the analysis, 76 % experienced burnout, as indicated by high scores on either the emotional exhaustion or depersonalisation subscales. In addition, 27% of doctors had cut-off scores on the BDI indicating moderate depression, while 3 % were identified with severe depression. The number of hours, work-load, working conditions and system-related frustrations were ranked as the most important contributing factors to burnout. More experienced doctors and those with higher resilience scores had lower levels of burnout as evident by lower scores on the emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation domains of the MBI. Conclusion: Both burnout and depression are prevalent problems among doctors working at district level and in communities. Resilience appears to be protective and may be a useful target for future intervention.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar
Description
Thesis (MMed)--Stellenbosch University, 2011.
Keywords
Physicians -- Job stress -- South Africa -- Western Cape, Physicians -- Health and hygiene -- South Africa -- Western Cape, Stress (Psychology), Burn out (Psychology)
Citation