Characterizing burnout in Ukrainian critical care physicians during early stages of the conflict

Background Burnout disproportionately affects healthcare professionals, particularly critical care specialists. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has placed a significant strain on healthcare resources, with the added burden of the recent COVID-19 pandemic further intensifying the risk of burnout among Ukrainian critical care physicians. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of burnout and identify associated risk factors to guide targeted interventions. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted from September 2022 to February 2023 among Ukrainian critical care providers recruited via secure messaging Viber™ group chat and the CERTAIN educational platform. The survey captured demographic and practice-related data and employed the Ukrainian-translated Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). Statistical analysis comprised descriptive statistics, exact permutation tests, and comparisons to recent European burnout data using risk differences (RDs). Results Of the 412 individuals who accessed the survey link, 105 critical care physicians submitted survey responses. The prevalence of burnout was 71.4% (95%CI: 61.7–79.6%), significantly exceeding previously reported European rates (range: 28.6%-51.8%; p < 0.001). Emotional exhaustion (61.9%, 95%CI: 51.9–71.1%) and depersonalization (48.6%, 95%CI: 38.8–58.5%) were particularly pronounced. Emotional exhaustion was significantly higher among single physicians (86%; p = 0.005) and those with less than five years of practice (84%; p = 0.02). Conversely, lower rates of low personal accomplishment were reported among married respondents (24%; p = 0.004) and those with caregiving responsibilities (22%; p = 0.013). Conclusion This study demonstrates significantly elevated burnout levels among Ukrainian critical care providers amidst the ongoing conflict. Single clinicians with less experience are at particularly high risk and may benefit most from targeted interventions.