Correlation between occupational burnout and personality dimensions among physicians working in hospitals of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Iran, 2016

Background: Occupational burnout is an emotional response to chronic occupational stress. The aim of this study was determine the rate of occupational burnout among physicians working in Rafsanjan University hospitals Rafsanjan, Iran, and its correlation with personality dimensions:  2016. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive and correlational study, 161 physicians were recruited using the census method. After obtaining informed consent, respondents filled in the Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO PI-R) and Maslach Burnout Inventory. Data were analyzed using independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and multiple linear regression. Results: Gender, age, and working experience did not have a significant association with occupational burnout (P > 0.050). Moreover, 16 (9.9%), 139 (86.3%), and 6 (3.7%) of the physicians had low, moderate, and high occupational burnout, respectively. The mean score of emotional fatigue of women (P = 0.015) and individuals aged 35-50 years (P = 0.400) was higher. The association of job burnout was significant and inverse with all dimensions of personality and significant with the personality dimension of neuroticism (P < 0.001). Regression analysis indicated that 23.8% of occupational burnout was predictable by the personality dimension of extroversion [P = 0.021]. Conclusions: Ninety percent of the physicians had moderate to severe occupational burnout that was related to some personality dimensions. Since doctors play an important role in promoting community health, it seems necessary that trustee organizations, while investigating the factors affecting occupational burnout and trying to improve the status quo, use personality assessment as part of the appointment and organization process.