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Physicians

Occupational Burnout in Internal Medicine Physicians: A New Study Finds Correlation with Nocturnal Awakenings

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers at Zhejiang University School of Medicine have conducted a study to investigate the relationship between occupational burnout in internal medicine physicians and nocturnal awakenings. The study used an online survey to assess the burnout status, job satisfaction, psychological status, and sleep conditions of 1,500 physicians. The findings suggest that frequent nocturnal awakenings significantly increase the risk of burnout, with a stronger effect observed in women. Specifically, the study found that nocturnal awakenings 3 times a week significantly increased the risk of burnout in men, while 1 or more nighttime awakenings per week significantly increased the risk in women. The study also found that individuals with positive results on Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Patient Health Questionnaire, and Perceived Stress Scale scales showed a significantly higher risk of moderate burnout, even with less frequent nocturnal awakenings.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study aimed to screen for occupational burnout in internal medicine physicians and explore the relationship between burnout and anxiety, depression, stress, and sleep.
  • The study used Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey to assess burnout status, Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire to evaluate job satisfaction, Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 to assess anxiety, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 to assess depression, and Perceived Stress Scale to assess stress.
  • Frequent nocturnal awakenings significantly increase the risk of burnout, with a stronger effect observed in women.
  • Nocturnal awakenings 3 times a week significantly increased the risk of burnout in men, while 1 or more nighttime awakenings per week significantly increased the risk in women.
  • Individuals with positive results on GAD/PHQ/PSS scales showed a significantly higher risk of moderate burnout, even with less frequent nocturnal awakenings.
  • The study found that nocturnal awakenings are an independent risk factor for occupational burnout.

Statistics:

  • 1,500 internal medicine physicians participated in the online survey.
  • 60% of participants were men, and 40% were women.
  • 30% of participants experienced nocturnal awakenings 3 times a week, while 50% experienced nocturnal awakenings 1 or more times a week.
  • 20% of participants had positive results on GAD/PHQ/PSS scales.

Sources:

  • (https://doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.1038/s41598-025-12884-w)
  • (http://www.nature.com/srep/index.html)
  • Zhejiang University School of Medicine
  • Nature Portfolio
  • Scientific Reports
  • Health & Medicine Week
  • NewsRx LLC

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