Prevalence of burnout and contributing factors among physicians in Burundi: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Burnout negatively impacts interpersonal skills, job performance, career satisfaction and psychological health and is marked by physical and emotional exhaustion from prolonged exposure to emotionally demanding work. Despite its known consequences, research on physician burnout prevalence and burden in Burundi remains limited.
Aim: This study aimed to assess the prevalence and investigate the contributing factors of burnout among physicians in Burundi.
Setting: Public and private sector hospitals in Burundi.
Methods: We conducted this cross-sectional analytical study in Burundi from 25 February 2025 to 25 April 2025, recruiting 435 hospital-based physicians with a minimum of 1 year of experience. Data on socio-demographics and burnout contributors were collected via a structured questionnaire, with burnout prevalence assessed using the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI). SPSS was used for analysis. Multinomial logistic regression was used to investigate the association with burnout.
Results: Among 435 physicians, burnout was high at 66.2%, with over half disengaged and most exhausted. Burnout was linked to heavy workloads, long hours, limited patient time, poor work-life balance, financial strain and difficult workplace dynamics, especially among younger, less experienced doctors.
Conclusion: High prevalence rates of physician burnout have been observed in Burundi, driven by work-related and socio-demographic factors. Addressing the problem of burnout is crucial for sustainable healthcare, patient safety, physician well-being and overall healthcare system performance.
Contribution: This study provides the first national-level evidence of physician burnout prevalence and contributing factors in Burundi, establishing a crucial foundation for targeted organisational interventions and developments.