Work and Environmental Factors on Job Burnout: A Cross-Sectional Study for Sustainable Work

Ginevra Malta, Fulvio Plescia, Stefania Zerbo, Maria Gabriella Verso, Serena Matera, Alenka Skerjanc and Emanuele Cannizzaro ()
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Ginevra Malta: Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Childcare, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
Fulvio Plescia: Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Childcare, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
Stefania Zerbo: Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Childcare, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
Maria Gabriella Verso: Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Childcare, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
Serena Matera: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Occupational Medicine, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy
Alenka Skerjanc: Clinical Institute for Occupational, Traffic and Sports Medicine, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Emanuele Cannizzaro: Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Childcare, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 8, 1-12

Abstract: In the context of sustainable development, the occupational sphere must be integrally considered within health promotion frameworks, ensuring an equitable work–life balance while recognizing and amplifying the capabilities of every employee. Concurrently, there is a notable trend of physicians transitioning from public to private healthcare sectors, with burnout frequently cited in scholarly discourse as a primary catalyst for this shift. The objective of our study was to examine the vulnerability of medical staff to burnout. To achieve this, we conducted a cross-sectional analysis involving 1084 physicians from various specialties, employed in urban hospital settings. This research was executed via the distribution of an anonymous questionnaire, utilizing the Google Forms platform during work hours. The questionnaire was based on the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) scale, specifically adapted for medical professionals, requiring respondents to provide insights into their experiences. Analysis of the collected data from a total of 614 respondents indicated a moderate predisposition towards burnout among the sample. These findings underscore the necessity for interventions targeting organizational flexibility and, notably, the restructuring of remuneration practices. Salaries often do not reflect the terms of employment contracts across numerous EU jurisdictions, necessitating urgent reforms. In conclusion, the reinforcement of interpersonal dynamics within medical teams and between healthcare institutions and their practitioners emerges as a critical strategy. Enhancing these relationships is essential for revitalizing the healthcare delivery system, ensuring that medical professionals are adequately compensated in alignment with the principles of sustainable employment.

Keywords: burnout; work environment; public health; healthcare prevention; welfare; occupational risk (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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