Burnout Syndrome in UK Intensive Care Unit staff: Data from all three Burnout Syndrome domains and across professional groups, genders and ages

Abstract

Introduction This is the first comprehensive evaluation of Burnout Syndrome across the UK Intensive Care Unit workforce and in all three Burnout Syndrome domains: Emotional Exhaustion, Depersonalisation and lack of Personal Accomplishment. Methods A questionnaire was emailed to UK Intensive Care Society members, incorporating the 22-item Maslach Burnout Inventory Human Services Survey for medical personnel. Burnout Syndrome domain scores were stratified by ‘risk’. Associations with gender, profession and age-group were explored. Results In total, 996 multi-disciplinary responses were analysed. For Emotional Exhaustion, females scored higher and nurses scored higher than doctors. For Depersonalisation, males and younger respondents scored higher. Conclusion Approximately one-third of Intensive Care Unit team-members are at ‘high-risk’ for Burnout Syndrome, though there are important differences according to domain, gender, age-group and profession. This data may encourage a more nuanced understanding of Burnout Syndrome and more personalised strategies for our heterogeneous workforce.