Risk factors and consequences
Several risk factors contribute to burnout, including heavy workloads, long hours, stress, work-life imbalance, inadequate support systems, lack of control over work tasks, unclear expectations, insufficient rewards, unfairness, lack of social support, and conflicting values [1,4]. In the field of urology, additional risk factors for burnout include the demanding nature of surgical practice, high patient volume, and administrative burdens [5].
Poor leadership or supervision can also be a risk factor for burnout. A lack of support from supervisors or managers can contribute to feelings of burnout among employees. In addition, personal and family-related factors, such as major life events and conflicts between work and family life, can also contribute to burnout [1,4,5].
Additionally, gender can be a risk factor for burnout, with women being more likely to experience burnout than men. Women may encounter extra stressors such as discrimination, harassment, and unequal pay, which can contribute to burnout [1,29].
Age is another factor to consider, as it has been found that increasing age can be a risk factor for burnout. However, it is often associated with other factors such as high workload, lack of control, or insufficient reward [30]. However, years in service and prolonged exposure to demanding work environments can increase the risk of burnout, as supported by studies conducted by Maslach et al and Bakker et al. [31,32].
Burnout was found to have significant consequences on physical, psychological, relationship, and occupational well-being [4,33]. The physical consequences included an increased risk of various health issues such as hypercholesterolemia, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, hospitalization due to cardiovascular disorders, musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, headaches, gastrointestinal problems, respiratory issues, severe injuries, and even mortality below the age of 45 [33].
On the psychological front, burnout was associated with insomnia, depressive symptoms, the use of psychotropic and antidepressant medications, hospitalization for mental disorders, and other psychological ill-health symptoms. It also causes strained relationships, including difficulty maintaining social connections and decreased ability to connect with loved ones. And in terms of occupational consequences, burnout resulted in job dissatisfaction, absenteeism, new disability pensions, higher job demands, lower job resources, and presenteeism [4,5,6,33].
The consequences of burnout go beyond personal well-being and can also affect patient care. In healthcare professions like urology residency programs, burnout can lead to decreased job satisfaction, emotional exhaustion, and reduced quality of patient care. This is because burnout negatively affects cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning, ultimately impacting the overall quality of care provided by healthcare professionals [4,6,33].
Cognitive symptoms, such as forgetfulness or difficulty focusing, can occur as a result of burnout. When burnout persists or recurs over time, it can have an impact on the structure and functioning of the brain, ultimately affecting memory and other cognitive abilities. Those who experience long-term burnout may find it difficult to effectively process and retain information in their short-term memory, leading to memory loss [34].