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International Journal of Social Psychiatry
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Burnout and Job Satisfaction in New Zealand Psychiatrists: a National Study

Shailesh Kumar

Department of Psychiatry, Waikato Clinical School, New Zealand, shailesh.kumar{at}lakesdhb.govt.nz

Jesse Fischer

Christchurch School of Medicine, University of Otago, New Zealand

Elizabeth Robinson

Bio-statistician, School of Public Health, University of Auckland, New Zealand

Simon Hatcher

Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Auckland, New Zealand

R.N. Bhagat

Rotorua Hospital, New Zealand

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of burnout and the level of job satisfaction among New Zealand psychiatrists, and to ascertain relationships between socio-demographic variables, job satisfaction and burnout in the target population.

Method: In phase one of the study a postal survey was mailed out to every practising psychiatrist on record as well as all doctors working in psychiatry without specialist qualifications (MOSS). Three questionnaires were used: a socio-demographic questionnaire, the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and a Job Diagnostic Survey (JSS). Regression analysis was performed on returned data sets using socio-demographic characteristics as explanatory variables and score components of the MBI and JDS as the outcome measures.

Results: The results showed that the prevalence of burnout in New Zealand psychiatrists is cause for concern. Two-thirds of all psychiatrists described moderate to severely high levels of emotional exhaustion, with a similar proportion describing low levels of personal accomplishment. Depersonalisation did not appear to be a major problem in the population. Job satisfaction remained relatively high despite the high prevalence of burnout, although there was a relationship between burnout and job satisfaction scores.

Conclusions: This study has demonstrated a high prevalence of burnout and factors associated with it among New Zealand psychiatrists. Further research is needed to ascertain why job satisfaction remains high in the presence of burnout, and factors predisposing to, or protective of, burnout.

Key Words: burnout • job satisfaction • mental health service delivery • workforce

International Journal of Social Psychiatry, Vol. 53, No. 4, 306-316 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/0020764006074534
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