Associations between effort-reward imbalance and risk of burnout among Swedish physicians.

BACKGROUND: The high prevalence of burnout among Swedish physicians may have several possible effects on individuals and society. However, further investigations of work-related factors associated with the risk of burnout among Swedish physicians are needed. AIMS: We aimed to study the associations between psychosocial work factors, based on the effort-reward imbalance (ERI) model, and the risk of burnout among Swedish physicians. METHODS: A representative sample of 7200 Swedish physicians was invited in 2021. Data were gathered through questionnaires, with a response rate of 41%. Logistic regression models were used to study the associations between exposure to ERI and the risk of burnout. RESULTS: Approximately 62% of Swedish physicians were exposed to a high ERI. Exposure to a high ERI was associated with 11 times increased risk (95% confidence interval 6.5-20.0) of burnout in adjusted models. Large variations in the prevalence of ERI and risk of burnout across sociodemographic and occupational factors were identified, particularly across different clinical specialties. CONCLUSIONS: A majority of Swedish physicians were exposed to high levels of work-related stress, strongly associated with an increased risk of burnout. This population-based cross-sectional study underlines the need to further study variations of work-related stress across clinical specialties and to monitor occupational health among physicians longitudinally.

The association between self-treatment and mental health among Swedish physicians.

BACKGROUND: Despite a high prevalence of mental health problems among physicians, the rate of help-seeking behaviour is low. Instead, physicians tend to self-treat. This can have a negative impact on individual physicians and society. AIMS: The aim was to explore the relationship between self-rated depression, the use of psychotropic medication, and the extent of self-treatment across gender and hierarchical position among Swedish physicians. In addition, the aim was to investigate whether social support can buffer against self-treatment. METHODS: This study draws on data from the Longitudinal Occupational Health for Health Care in Sweden 2021 study, comprising a representative sample of physicians. Descriptive statistics and logistic regressions were carried out. RESULTS: The present study showed that approximately 60% of the physicians using narcotic or non-narcotic psychotropic medication were self-prescribing. Male and more senior physicians self-treated to a greater extent. Physicians without depression were self-treating to a greater extent than those with depression. Those who used non-narcotic psychotropic medication intermittently were more likely to self-treat than those who used these medications regularly. The frequency of use was insignificant in relation to self-treatment with narcotic psychotropic medication. No buffering effect from social support at work was found. CONCLUSIONS: Self-treatment was common among physicians in Sweden, particularly among those who reported mild or no symptoms of depression. This may have negative long-term effects on an individual level and for Swedish health care at large.