UKZN study finds burnout, anxiety and depression high among medical doctors in KZN

A UKZN study by Dr Thejini Naidoo, a psychiatry registrar based at King Edward VIII hospital, found a high prevalence of burnout, anxiety and depression among medical doctors (MDs) in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).

Her study which was conducted in five public sector training hospitals in KZN, formed part of her Masters of Medicine degree specialising in psychiatry.

Naidoo is passionate about assisting her colleagues through support programmes aimed at improving their well-being which she mentions is an often neglected aspect of health that needs to be prioritised. 

Of the 150 participants of the study, 88 screened positive for burnout indicated by emotional exhaustion or depersonalisation.

One fifth of the group also screened positive for anxiety and depressive symptoms.

Previous studies have indicated that in South Africa, high rates of burnout exists among MDs.

In the Western Cape Province (WCP), a 2011 cross-sectional study found that 100 per cent of junior doctors experienced a high degree of burnout.

In a 2013 study in the WCP, burnout was reported in 76 per cent of MDs while high levels of burnout were also reported amongst MDs in Gauteng and Bloemfontein.

Naidoo’s study also found that younger MDs were more vulnerable to developing burnout while older MDs were more likely to experience anxiety and depressive symptoms.

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Some of the organisational factors that were found to contribute to burnout included lack of clinical supervisor support and hospital resources.

This was particularly prevalent in resource-constrained training hospitals.

Naidoo’s study indicated that burnout comprised of three components including emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and personal accomplishment.

Emotional exhaustion experienced consisted of long periods of emotional and physical fatigue.

While depersonalisation referred to feelings of negativity and detachment from the job.

Personal incompetence was found to be experienced by those MDs that had feelings of incompetence and a lack of achievement at work.

Individual and organisational factors associated with burnout included work stress and anxiety, balancing work and personal life, long working hours, high workloads, poor working conditions, public system-related frustrations, insufficient vacation time, inadequate equipment, poor management support and low work satisfaction.

Further, the study found that the HIV/Aids epidemic, as well as the mass exodus of MDs from South Africa, places further strain on those remaining in the public sector.

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Naidoo said: “All of the factors mentioned above can have a negative impact on patient care as well as an increased risk for psychiatric co-morbidities such as suicide, anxiety and depression. I would recommend that the Department of Health investigates the prevalence of burnout and implements evidence-based strategies. At the individual level, MDs should embrace mindfulness, stress management, exercise, communication skills training and participation in small group programmes oriented around promoting and building a community. At the organisational level, measures should be put in place to reduce working hours and the workload, improve institutional support and advocacy for peer support with a focus on junior doctors.”

Naidoo was supervised by UKZN’s Dr Saeeda Paruk (psychiatrist) and Dr Mitsuaki Tomita (epidemiologist). Naidoo is married with one child and enjoys gyming and art.

She said: “Despite my hectic work load and studies, I will continue to strive to be the best mom and wife that I can be by prioritising and spending quality time with my family.”  

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