The prevalence of the burnout syndrome among medical professionals involved in allergology education programmes

Background: Increasing demands in health care put a significant pressure on medical professionals. Work overload and stress frequently lead to burnout syndrome, which can be categorised as an emotional exhaustion(EE), depersonalization (DP) and reduced sense of personal accomplishment (RPA). This research aimed to explore the burnout syndrome among a spectrum of medical specialists involved in allergology education programmes.Method: The research conducted in 2016–2017 included 259 respondents: 86% students, 4.6% junior specialists; 4.6% clinical allergologists, 3.9% lecturers / clinical academics. Burnout was assessed with Maslach Burnout Inventory ‐ total scores for EE (Low≤15, Moderate 16‐24, High ≥25), DP (Low ≤5, Moderate 6‐9, High≥10) and RPA (Low ≥0‐11, Moderate 12‐18, High 19‐48) sub scales were calculated and analyzed. Results: On average students demonstrated: moderate/high EEscores (24‐26); moderate/high DP scores (9‐12) and moderate RPAscores (17); higher RPA scores were common (41.4%) among junior students, which is also linked with their levels of engagement, and lower (28%) among senior students.Junior specialist (starting specialization) had very low scores in all 3 sub scales and expressed a very high motivation in their course and new profession.Clinical allergologists with significant experience demonstrated moderate/ high EE scores (22‐26); low DP (1‐5) and RPA (below 10)scores. High EE scores associated with pressures of service were compensated by a substantial loyalty to their profession and positive assessment of the outcomes of their work.Clinical academics demonstrated the highest level of EE scores(29 + among 70 + % of the group) with low to moderate DP and RPA scores, the latter being associated with a loyalty to their profession.It was also possible to identify a correlation between engagement in research activities and lower RPA scores.Conclusion: Burnout is a complex and multifaceted phenomena,which requires further investigation. However, this research identified that students and junior specialists involved in allergology and clinical immunology programmes with higher levels of engagement and motivation to acquire new specialist knowledge had lower levels of EE, while loyalty to the profession and positive assessment of the outcomes of clinical and research work allows to compensate high levels of EE among experienced practitioners and clinical academics and to reduce burnout effects overall.