Factors Associated with Burnout in Medical Academia: An Exploratory Analysis of Romanian and Moldavian Physicians

Ovidiu Popa-Velea, Liliana Veronica Diaconescu, Iuliana Raluca Gheorghe, Oana Olariu, Iolanda Panaitiu, Mariana Cerniţanu, Ludmila Goma, Irina Nicov and Larisa Spinei
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Ovidiu Popa-Velea: Department of Medical Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila”, Bucharest 050474, Romania
Liliana Veronica Diaconescu: Department of Medical Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila”, Bucharest 050474, Romania
Iuliana Raluca Gheorghe: Department of Marketing and Medical Technology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila”, Bucharest 050474, Romania
Oana Olariu: Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University “Dunărea de Jos”, Galaţi 800008, Romania
Iolanda Panaitiu: Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila”, Bucharest 050474, Romania
Mariana Cerniţanu: Department of Management and Psychology, State University of Medicine and Pharmacy ”Nicolae Testemițanu”, Chişinău MD-2000, Moldova
Ludmila Goma: Department of Management and Psychology, State University of Medicine and Pharmacy ”Nicolae Testemițanu”, Chişinău MD-2000, Moldova
Irina Nicov: Department of Management and Psychology, State University of Medicine and Pharmacy ”Nicolae Testemițanu”, Chişinău MD-2000, Moldova
Larisa Spinei: Department of Management and Psychology, State University of Medicine and Pharmacy ”Nicolae Testemițanu”, Chişinău MD-2000, Moldova

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 13, 1-13

Abstract: This study aimed to assess the extent of burnout in Romanian and Moldavian academic physicians and to determine the predictive value of emotional intelligence (EI), coping strategies, work motivation (WM), perceived organizational support (POS), and the socio-demographic characteristics of burnout. Two hundred physicians (40% men, 60% women, mean age = 43.02, SD = 9.91) participated in the study. They were administered the Maslach Burnout Inventory−General Survey, Brief COPE Scale, Multidimensional Work Motivation Scale, Schutte’s Self-Report Emotional Intelligence Test, and Perceived Organizational Support Scale. Mann−Whitney U tests were used to assess the significance of intercountry differences, while hierarchical regressions were performed to investigate the predictive value of the independent variables on burnout. Moldavian participants had significantly lower scores in burnout and amotivation ( p < 0.001) and higher scores in EI, POS, and WM ( p < 0.001). The main burnout predictors were amotivation (β = 0.388, p < 0.001) and low POS (β = −0.313, p < 0.001) in Moldavian respondents, and WM (intrinsic: β = −0.620, p < 0.001; extrinsic: β = 0.406, p < 0.001) in Romanian participants. Moldavian respondents displayed better adjustment to academic stress. The distribution of burnout predictors suggests better sensitivity of respondents to organizational interventions in Moldova and to individual therapy in Romania. This data could serve to better tailor Public Health interventions addressing burnout in the academic environment.

Keywords: burnout; academic; physicians (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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