ABSTRACT
IntroductionBurnout, resulting from chronic workplace stress, has been documented in doctors. The COVID-19 pandemic has potentiated doctors' risk for burnout. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and determinants of burnout amongst medical doctors at public hospitals in Gqeberha, South Africa, during the COVID-19 pandemic.Materials and MethodsFollowing ethics approval, a cross-sectional study of voluntary participants comprising 260 doctors was conducted. Participants completed self-administered electronic questionnaires Oldenburg Burnout Inventory, selected subscales of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Generic Job Stress Questionnaire, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale and COVID-19-related questions.ResultsThe prevalence of burnout in the study population was 78%. Participants were predominantly female (58%) and young (43% in 20–29 years age-group). Medical Interns formed the dominant occupational group (32%) with an average of 2 years' service (IQR = 1–5). Burnout was significantly associated with being a medical intern or community-service medical officer (OR=6.72, 1.71–26.40), being in the lowest income band (OR= 10.78, 2.55–45.49) and in doctors using alcohol to manage work-related stress (OR=3.01, 1.12–8.04). Burnout was furthermore significantly associated with experiencing high conflict at work (OR=5.04, 1.92–13.20) and high role ambiguity (OR=4.49,1.98–10.18). Participants with low job satisfaction (OR=27.82, 6.27–123.45) and low support at work (OR=9.99, 3.66–27.23) and medium job satisfaction (OR= 5.38, 2.65–10.93) and medium support at work (OR=3.39, 1.71–6.73) were at increased risk of burnout. Medium resilience (OR=0.28, 0.10–0.80) and high resilience (OR=0.08, 0.03–0.25) were significantly protective against burnout. Factors related to COVID-19 and workplace interventions were not significantly associated with burnout.ConclusionThe prevalence of burnout amongst medical doctors in Gqeberha during theCOVID-19 pandemic was high. Given the strong associations with job stress factors (conflict at work, role ambiguity and role conflict, job satisfaction, support at work) and burnout, the management of burnout should focus on interventional measures implemented at an organizational level.