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].