Burnout in Rheumatologists in Latin America

Abstract

Background: Rheumatology is considered a low-risk specialty, but studies have shown a prevalence of burnout between 42% and 51%.

Objectives: The aim was to determine the prevalence of burnout in rheumatologists in Latin America and the factors associated with it.

Methods: Cross-sectional study based on a survey completed through Google Forms platform that was sent by the national rheumatology associations of Latin America. Burnout was assessed with the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Data were analyzed using the statistical program SPSS v.22.

Results: Two hundred ninety-seven rheumatologists from 15 countries were included, mainly Argentina (28.3%), Brazil (26.3%), and Mexico (12.8%). The majority were women 62%, 42.4% worked in public hospitals with an average of 40.1 ± 14.2 hours per week; 31.3% did research, 13.1% clinical trials, 56.6% teaching, and 42.8% administrative work; 36% received an annual income less than $25,000; 56.6% had burnout in at least 1 dimension. Only 20.2% thought they had burnout, 9.1% were currently receiving professional help, and 15.8% had sought help in the past; 72.1% said they were willing to participate in a program to reduce burnout. The rheumatologists with burnout were younger than those without burnout (46.5 vs 49.9 years, p = 0.015).

Conclusions: Burnout affects near half of rheumatologists in Latin America and was associated with younger age, long working hours, low satisfaction, less happiness, higher Patient Health Questionnaire-9, suicidal thoughts, anxiety, income, presence of comorbidities, and low self-esteem.