Burnout, Work Addiction and Stress-Related Growth Among Emergency Physicians and Residents: A Comparative Study

The field of emergency medicine (EM) is a high-stress medical specialty. We aim to comparatively investigate burnout, work addiction, and stress-related growth between EM physicians and EM residents. Our sample consists of 117 EM professionals, 41 physicians and 76 residents, from 5 out of the 12 EM...

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Main Authors: Raluca Mihaela Tat, Adela Golea, Gabriela Vancu, Mihai-Bujor Grecu, Monica Puticiu, Andrei Hermenean, Luciana Teodora Rotaru, Mihai Alexandru Butoi, Mihaela Corlade-Andrei, Diana Cimpoesu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Behavioral Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/15/6/730
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author Raluca Mihaela Tat
Adela Golea
Gabriela Vancu
Mihai-Bujor Grecu
Monica Puticiu
Andrei Hermenean
Luciana Teodora Rotaru
Mihai Alexandru Butoi
Mihaela Corlade-Andrei
Diana Cimpoesu
author_facet Raluca Mihaela Tat
Adela Golea
Gabriela Vancu
Mihai-Bujor Grecu
Monica Puticiu
Andrei Hermenean
Luciana Teodora Rotaru
Mihai Alexandru Butoi
Mihaela Corlade-Andrei
Diana Cimpoesu
author_sort Raluca Mihaela Tat
collection DOAJ
description The field of emergency medicine (EM) is a high-stress medical specialty. We aim to comparatively investigate burnout, work addiction, and stress-related growth between EM physicians and EM residents. Our sample consists of 117 EM professionals, 41 physicians and 76 residents, from 5 out of the 12 EM county departments in Romania that run residency programs. Methods: An online survey was sent to 461 EM professionals (170 physicians and 291 residents), with a response rate of 25.4%. The survey comprised two sections: the first focused on sociodemographic and professional data, with the second consisting of six validated assessment instruments: the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory, Dutch Work Addiction Scale—short version, Stress-Related Growth Scale, Responsive Distress Scale, Self-Discipline Scale, and Zuckerman–Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire. Both EM physicians and residents reported moderate to high levels of burnout, disengagement, and exhaustion, but there was no significant difference between them. However, physicians exhibited significantly higher levels of work addiction, excessive work, compulsive work, and stress-related growth. No significant differences were found in compulsive work behaviors. Conclusions: Burnout levels are comparable between EM physicians and residents. However, physicians demonstrate higher work addiction but also higher stress-related growth. Personality variables and sleep duration appear to be more influential in predicting burnout than in work addiction or stress-related growth.
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spelling doaj-art-ccb59c7544eb43eabdfae0752e5b3ceb2025-08-20T03:32:31ZengMDPI AGBehavioral Sciences2076-328X2025-05-0115673010.3390/bs15060730Burnout, Work Addiction and Stress-Related Growth Among Emergency Physicians and Residents: A Comparative StudyRaluca Mihaela Tat0Adela Golea1Gabriela Vancu2Mihai-Bujor Grecu3Monica Puticiu4Andrei Hermenean5Luciana Teodora Rotaru6Mihai Alexandru Butoi7Mihaela Corlade-Andrei8Diana Cimpoesu9Department 6 Surgery, Emergency Medicine Discipline, “Iuliu-Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaDepartment 6 Surgery, Emergency Medicine Discipline, “Iuliu-Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaDepartment of Psychology, Faculty of Educational Sciences, Psychology and Social Assistance, University Aurel Vlaicu Arad, Elena Drăgoi Street, No. 2, 310032 Arad, RomaniaUPU-SMURD “Pius Brînzeu” Emergency Hospital, 300723 Timisoara, RomaniaDepartment of Emergency, Faculty of Medicine, Vasile Goldiș Western University of Arad, 310325 Arad, RomaniaDepression Ward 8, General Psychiatric Department, Aalborg University Hospital South, 9000 Aalborg, DenmarkEmergency Medicine and First Aid Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 200349 Craiova, RomaniaEmergency Medicine and First Aid Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 200349 Craiova, RomaniaSurgery Department—Emergency Medicine Discipline, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, 700115 Iasi, RomaniaSurgery Department—Emergency Medicine Discipline, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, 700115 Iasi, RomaniaThe field of emergency medicine (EM) is a high-stress medical specialty. We aim to comparatively investigate burnout, work addiction, and stress-related growth between EM physicians and EM residents. Our sample consists of 117 EM professionals, 41 physicians and 76 residents, from 5 out of the 12 EM county departments in Romania that run residency programs. Methods: An online survey was sent to 461 EM professionals (170 physicians and 291 residents), with a response rate of 25.4%. The survey comprised two sections: the first focused on sociodemographic and professional data, with the second consisting of six validated assessment instruments: the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory, Dutch Work Addiction Scale—short version, Stress-Related Growth Scale, Responsive Distress Scale, Self-Discipline Scale, and Zuckerman–Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire. Both EM physicians and residents reported moderate to high levels of burnout, disengagement, and exhaustion, but there was no significant difference between them. However, physicians exhibited significantly higher levels of work addiction, excessive work, compulsive work, and stress-related growth. No significant differences were found in compulsive work behaviors. Conclusions: Burnout levels are comparable between EM physicians and residents. However, physicians demonstrate higher work addiction but also higher stress-related growth. Personality variables and sleep duration appear to be more influential in predicting burnout than in work addiction or stress-related growth.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/15/6/730emergency medicinephysiciansresidentsburnoutwork addictionstress-related growth
spellingShingle Raluca Mihaela Tat
Adela Golea
Gabriela Vancu
Mihai-Bujor Grecu
Monica Puticiu
Andrei Hermenean
Luciana Teodora Rotaru
Mihai Alexandru Butoi
Mihaela Corlade-Andrei
Diana Cimpoesu
Burnout, Work Addiction and Stress-Related Growth Among Emergency Physicians and Residents: A Comparative Study
Behavioral Sciences
emergency medicine
physicians
residents
burnout
work addiction
stress-related growth
title Burnout, Work Addiction and Stress-Related Growth Among Emergency Physicians and Residents: A Comparative Study
title_full Burnout, Work Addiction and Stress-Related Growth Among Emergency Physicians and Residents: A Comparative Study
title_fullStr Burnout, Work Addiction and Stress-Related Growth Among Emergency Physicians and Residents: A Comparative Study
title_full_unstemmed Burnout, Work Addiction and Stress-Related Growth Among Emergency Physicians and Residents: A Comparative Study
title_short Burnout, Work Addiction and Stress-Related Growth Among Emergency Physicians and Residents: A Comparative Study
title_sort burnout work addiction and stress related growth among emergency physicians and residents a comparative study
topic emergency medicine
physicians
residents
burnout
work addiction
stress-related growth
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/15/6/730
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