Background Paediatricians are particularly vulnerable to burnout due to the emotional intensity of providing healthcare to children, along with heavy workloads and administrative burdens. This study aims to evaluate burnout among paediatricians across different seniority levels and explores its relationship with job satisfaction, quality of life and anxiety. Methods This cross-sectional, self-report survey was designed by an interdisciplinary team. Data on sociodemographics, burnout (Maslach Burnout Inventory), job satisfaction (Minnesota Job Satisfaction Questionnaire), quality of life (Short Form-12 Health Survey) and anxiety (Beck Anxiety Inventory) were collected and analysed. Results 125 paediatricians participated, including residents (54.4 %), fellows (22.4 %) and academics (23.2 %). Burnout was identified in 26.4% of participants, with emotional exhaustion (EE) (12%) and depersonalisation (15%) most elevated. Clinically verified psychiatric diagnoses (depression or anxiety) within the last year were reported by 31% of participants and were significantly associated with higher EE. Severe anxiety was found in 15%, most frequently among fellows (53%), and was inversely correlated with job satisfaction. Job satisfaction also showed a moderate negative correlation with EE and a positive correlation with personal accomplishment. Although 95% had voluntarily chosen paediatrics, only 58% would choose it again and 72% would not recommend it to their child. Conclusions Despite the limitations of a cross-sectional, self-reported design—which may involve risks of selection and reporting bias—this study provides important insights into burnout and its psychosocial correlates in paediatrics. Our findings highlight the need to strengthen institutional support systems, particularly for residents and fellows, to safeguard physician well-being and promote sustainable paediatric careers.
Eravsar et al. (Mon,) studied this question.