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1 in 3 UK doctors report burn out and compassion fatigue

Nearly one in three UK doctors are burnt out and stressed, suggest the results of an in-depth survey, published online in BMJ Open.

The findings of the survey, which was distributed through the Royal colleges and other professional bodies measured resilience in 1,518 doctors using the Connor Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). The 25-item test yields a score between 0 and 100, with higher scores indicating higher resilience.

The mean resilience score was 65.0 out of 100. There was no significant difference between male and female resilience scores (men 66.4, women 64.6). However, hospital-based doctors scored

higher for resilience than GP (P<0.001). Surgical specialities scored higher than non-surgical specialities (P<.001). Foundation doctors and specialty and associate specialist (SAS) grade doctors had lower resilience scores than core trainees, specialty trainees and consultants (P=.002).

Of those who responded, 31.5 per cent had high burnout (BO), 26.2 per cent had high work-related secondary traumatic stress (STS) and 30.7 per cent had low compassion satisfaction (CS). Doctors from emergency medicine were more burned out than any other specialty group (P=.001). GPs scored lowest for CS, indicating compassion fatigue.

Approximately 8 per cent doctors met the criteria for all three of high BO, high STS and low CS.


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