Addressing the Silent Crisis: Occupational Burnout Among Anesthesiology Professionals in China (Preprint)

BACKGROUND The anesthesiology healthcare workers across various hospital levels in China were invited to participate in an electronic survey. OBJECTIVE The study aimed to assess the prevalence and impact of occupational burnout among anesthesiologists and anesthetic nurses in China, identifying key factors and providing a scientific basis for intervention strategies. The importance of this research lies in addressing the critical shortage of medical personnel in anesthesiology and its impact on healthcare quality. METHODS The primary goal was to provide a comprehensive analysis of occupational burnout among anesthesiologists and nurses in China using an electronic questionnaire. The questionnaire included assessments of occupational burnout, demographic and work-related information, work stress, interpersonal relationships, and health status. RESULTS A total of 1,465 participants were included across China. The response rate was 96.30%, with an overall burnout rate of 79.52%. Anesthesiologists had a burnout rate of 82.51%, and anesthetic nurses had a rate of 72.85%, showing a significant difference (P = 0.000). The prevalence of high emotional exhaustion and depersonalization was 45.80%, with anesthesiologists at 50.30% and nurses at 35.76%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified independent risk factors associated with burnout, including work environment, colleague relationships, and sleep quality for anesthesiologists, and experience, hospital level, and work intensity for anesthetic nurses. CONCLUSIONS Occupational burnout is prevalent among anesthesiology professionals in China, with significant implications for individual well-being and patient care. The study's findings call for targeted interventions, such as improving work environments, enhancing education and training, and establishing support systems to mitigate burnout and promote work-life balance. Future research should focus on developing and evaluating effective intervention measures to ensure the well-being of medical professionals and the quality of healthcare services.