Contributors to stress and burnout in junior doctors during the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Junior doctors have reported high levels of burnout and additional stressors emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic may further accelerate burnout. There is a need to identify which stressors are most likely to lead to burnout in order to develop appropriate interventions. This project therefore aims to compile a comprehensive list of stressors relevant to junior doctors and assesses which stressors are most strongly associated with burnout. Materials and Methods: An anonymous online questionnaire was sent in July 2020 to 1000 randomly selected junior doctors in the North West of England. It included 37 questions on general and pandemic specific stressors and the Maslach Burnout Inventory Health Services Survey. Stepwise regression analysis was undertaken to explore associations between stressors and burnout. Results and Conclusions: In total, 326 responses were received. Six of the 10 highest rated stressors were specific to the pandemic. Fatigue (β=0.43), pandemic-related workload increase (β=0.33) and feeling isolated (β=0.24) had the strongest associations with Emotional Exhaustion. Fatigue (β=0.24), uncertainty around COVID-19 information (β=0.22) and doing unfulfilling tasks (β =0.22) had the strongest associations with Depersonalisation. Lacking in ability (β=-0.24) and not feeling valued (β=-0.20) had the strongest associations with Personal Accomplishment. In conclusion, junior doctors reported a combination of general and pandemic-specific stressors that significantly impact burnout. Monitoring these stressors and targeting them as part of interventions could help mitigate burnout in junior doctors.