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Meta-Analysis
. 2024 Nov 27;21(12):1583.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph21121583.

Occupational Risk Factors for Burnout Syndrome Among Healthcare Professionals: A Global Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Sohrab Amiri  1 , Nailah Mahmood  2 , Halla Mustafa  3 , Syed Fahad Javaid  4 , Moien Ab Khan  3
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Occupational Risk Factors for Burnout Syndrome Among Healthcare Professionals: A Global Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Sohrab Amiri et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

Health professionals are disproportionately affected by burnout compared to other occupational groups. This study aims to systematically review and meta-analyze thirteen occupational risk factors related to burnout syndrome among health professionals globally. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in August 2023. The protocol was registered in The International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO), registration number CRD42023396081. Using a random-effects model, this meta-analysis assessed the association between occupational risk factors and burnout, reporting odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The meta-analysis included 109 studies from diverse global locations. Key factors influencing burnout included workplace bullying, job stress, and poor communication, with protective factors such as supportive work environments, adequate staffing, and individual resilience. All risk factors examined showed a significant positive relationship with burnout incidence. Workplace bullying was strongly associated with increased burnout (OR 4.05-15.01, p < 0.001). Similarly, low job satisfaction and high job stress were strongly associated with burnout, with ORs of 5.05 (95% CI 3.88-6.56, p < 0.001) and 4.21 (95% CI 1.62-10.94, p = 0.003), respectively. The review findings highlight the importance of addressing these risk factors through enhanced supportive work environments and promoting personal resilience strategies.

Keywords: burnout syndrome; health professionals; meta-analysis; occupational risk factors; systematic review.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 5
Figure 5
Job stress and burnout syndrome [66,97,109,110,111,112,113,114,115,116,117,118,119,120,121].
Figure 1
Figure 1
The PRISMA flow diagram. * The number of records identified from each database or register searched (rather than the total number across all databases/registers). ** Automation tools utilized to exclude records.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Long working hours and burnout syndrome [40,41,42,43,44,45,46,47,48,49,50,51,52,53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60,61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,69,70,71,72,73,74,75,76,77].
Figure 3
Figure 3
Job demand and burnout syndrome [61,72,73,78,79,80,81,82,83,84,85,86,87,88,89,90,91,92,93,94,95,96].
Figure 4
Figure 4
Workload and burnout syndrome [58,82,88,92,97,98,99,100,101,102,103,104,105,106,107,108].
Figure 6
Figure 6
Low social support at work and burnout syndrome [46,72,73,81,82,83,84,87,89,91,93,95,101,108,122].
Figure 7
Figure 7
Low job satisfaction and burnout syndrome [58,59,66,68,89,94,112,114,115,118,119,120,121,123,124,125,126,127,128,129,130,131,132].
Figure 8
Figure 8
Job control and burnout syndrome [72,82,83,87,89,90,95,96,100,103,108,121,135].
Figure 9
Figure 9
Work–life imbalance and burnout syndrome [61,67,92,99,121,122,131,136,137,138].
Figure 10
Figure 10
Effort–reward imbalance [72,95,139,140], job insecurity [46,96,141], job strain [46,141,142], violence at work [48,53,143,144], workplace bullying [48,145,146,149], and burnout syndrome.
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