Burnout in ENT France: Update and risk factors; a STROBE analysis

Burnout can significantly impact practitioners and their co-workers, and hence patients. There are no data for the prevalence of burnout in French ENT specialists, or for associated risk factors. A French national cross-sectional online survey was performed on the initiative of the ENT National Professional Council (CNPORL), contacting all ENT specialists whose e-mail address was known to the French Society of ENT, the National Professional Council or the National ENT Union. The 22-question Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) was sent out, along with 16 extra questions on possible risk factors. The study sought to assess the prevalence and severity of burnout, using the MBI, and to analyze risk factors. Among the 1936 physicians, 406 contacted responded to the questionnaire (21%). Mean age was 47±14 years (range, 25–77 years); 53% male, 47% female. 196 (48%) reported burnout, including 20 (5%) severe burnout. Independent risk factors for burnout of whatever severity, comprised social interaction issues, history of identified burnout, and medicolegal pressures. Social interaction issues were independently associated with specifically severe burnout. Burnout affected almost half of respondents. There are identifiable risk factors, for which improvements could be implemented.