Physician burnout and patient care practices in Sierra Leone
Abstract Background Burnout, characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment, can negatively impact patient care. While well-studied in developed countries, burnout in resource-limited settings like Sierra Leone is under-researched. We aimed to determine...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Springer
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Discover Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12982-025-00700-9 |
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| author | Mohamed B. Jalloh Asad Naveed Sylnata A. A. Johnson Abdul Karim Bah Fatmata B. Barrie Oluwafunmike G. Jegede Joseph V. Sengeh Arthur Sillah |
| author_facet | Mohamed B. Jalloh Asad Naveed Sylnata A. A. Johnson Abdul Karim Bah Fatmata B. Barrie Oluwafunmike G. Jegede Joseph V. Sengeh Arthur Sillah |
| author_sort | Mohamed B. Jalloh |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Burnout, characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment, can negatively impact patient care. While well-studied in developed countries, burnout in resource-limited settings like Sierra Leone is under-researched. We aimed to determine the prevalence of burnout among public sector physicians in Sierra Leone and assess its association with self-reported patient care practices. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study of 139 physicians randomly selected from major government hospitals across Sierra Leone. Burnout was assessed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory, and self-reported patient care practices were evaluated using an adapted version of Shanafelt et al.'s 2002 questionnaire. Statistical analyses included chi-square and fisher's exact test to compare demographic variables, and patient care practices between burnout and non-burnout physicians. Results Of 139 physicians surveyed (30% female), 23.7% met criteria for burnout, defined by two of the three criteria: high emotional exhaustion, high depersonalization scores and low personal accomplishment. Most respondents were aged 26–35 years. Burnout prevalence did not significantly differ by gender, age group, marital status, region, or practice level. Physicians with burnout reported high emotional exhaustion (32%), depersonalization (22%), and low personal accomplishment (39%). Physicians with burnout showed suboptimal patient care practices, including avoiding necessary diagnostic tests due to cost concerns, expediting discharges, and prescribing without adequate patient evaluation. Conclusion Physician burnout is prevalent in Sierra Leone and is correlated with compromised patient care practices. Addressing burnout necessitates multifaceted interventions at individual, organizational, and systemic levels. Implementing support systems and promoting well-being among physicians may improve patient care outcomes. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-06fe2f95fb184a10b1ff3346d6bc51d1 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 3005-0774 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Discover Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-06fe2f95fb184a10b1ff3346d6bc51d12025-08-20T02:00:08ZengSpringerDiscover Public Health3005-07742025-05-0122111110.1186/s12982-025-00700-9Physician burnout and patient care practices in Sierra LeoneMohamed B. Jalloh0Asad Naveed1Sylnata A. A. Johnson2Abdul Karim Bah3Fatmata B. Barrie4Oluwafunmike G. Jegede5Joseph V. Sengeh6Arthur Sillah7Department of Medicine, McMaster UniversityUniversity of TorontoSierra Leone Psychiatric Teaching HospitalUniversity of Sierra Leone Teaching Hospitals ComplexCollege of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra LeoneCollege of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra LeoneEastman ChemicalsSchool of Public Health, University of WashingtonAbstract Background Burnout, characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment, can negatively impact patient care. While well-studied in developed countries, burnout in resource-limited settings like Sierra Leone is under-researched. We aimed to determine the prevalence of burnout among public sector physicians in Sierra Leone and assess its association with self-reported patient care practices. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study of 139 physicians randomly selected from major government hospitals across Sierra Leone. Burnout was assessed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory, and self-reported patient care practices were evaluated using an adapted version of Shanafelt et al.'s 2002 questionnaire. Statistical analyses included chi-square and fisher's exact test to compare demographic variables, and patient care practices between burnout and non-burnout physicians. Results Of 139 physicians surveyed (30% female), 23.7% met criteria for burnout, defined by two of the three criteria: high emotional exhaustion, high depersonalization scores and low personal accomplishment. Most respondents were aged 26–35 years. Burnout prevalence did not significantly differ by gender, age group, marital status, region, or practice level. Physicians with burnout reported high emotional exhaustion (32%), depersonalization (22%), and low personal accomplishment (39%). Physicians with burnout showed suboptimal patient care practices, including avoiding necessary diagnostic tests due to cost concerns, expediting discharges, and prescribing without adequate patient evaluation. Conclusion Physician burnout is prevalent in Sierra Leone and is correlated with compromised patient care practices. Addressing burnout necessitates multifaceted interventions at individual, organizational, and systemic levels. Implementing support systems and promoting well-being among physicians may improve patient care outcomes.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12982-025-00700-9BurnoutSierra LeonePhysiciansStress at the workplacePatient care practices |
| spellingShingle | Mohamed B. Jalloh Asad Naveed Sylnata A. A. Johnson Abdul Karim Bah Fatmata B. Barrie Oluwafunmike G. Jegede Joseph V. Sengeh Arthur Sillah Physician burnout and patient care practices in Sierra Leone Discover Public Health Burnout Sierra Leone Physicians Stress at the workplace Patient care practices |
| title | Physician burnout and patient care practices in Sierra Leone |
| title_full | Physician burnout and patient care practices in Sierra Leone |
| title_fullStr | Physician burnout and patient care practices in Sierra Leone |
| title_full_unstemmed | Physician burnout and patient care practices in Sierra Leone |
| title_short | Physician burnout and patient care practices in Sierra Leone |
| title_sort | physician burnout and patient care practices in sierra leone |
| topic | Burnout Sierra Leone Physicians Stress at the workplace Patient care practices |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12982-025-00700-9 |
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