The determinants of burnout and professional turnover intentions among Canadian physicians: application of the job demands-resources model

BACKGROUND: Burnout among physicians is growing at an exponential rate and many are leaving the profession. Nevertheless, the specific antecedents and intermediary stages involved in predicting their professional turnover intentions are not fully clear. PURPOSE: We apply the Job Demands-Resources model and investigate an innovative model which predicts physician burnout and its ultimate consequences on professional turnover intentions. METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: Structural equation modeling was used on cross-sectional survey data from a sample of 407 Canadian physicians. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: Job demands (work stress, work overload, and work-family conflict) and job resources (patient recognition and meaning at work) influence intention to leave the profession through a two stage health-impairment and motivational process related to health problems and professional commitment, respectively. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: This study identifies key job resources and job demands which predict physician burnout and professional turnover intentions thereby pinpointing which levers managers can use improve their health and retain them in the profession.