Research

Registrar wellness in Botswana: Measuring burnout and identifying ways to improve wellness

K D Westmoreland, E D Lowenthal, R Finalle, L Mazhani, M Cox, J C Mwita, S B Mphele, C E Turner, A P Steenhoff

Abstract


Background. Burnout during registrar training is high, especially in resource-limited settings where stressors are intensified. Burnout leads to decreased quality of life for doctors, poor job and patient satisfaction, and difficulty retaining doctors.

Objectives. Primary: to measure burnout among registrars working at Princess Marina Hospital in Gaborone, Botswana. Secondary: to determine factors contributing to burnout and identify potential wellness interventions.

Methods. The validated Maslach Burnout Inventory was used to measure the degree of emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and personal accomplishment. Work-related difficulties and potential wellness interventions were explored through multiple-choice and open-ended questions.

Results. Of 40 eligible registrars, 20 (50%) completed the survey. High levels of burnout were reported for emotional exhaustion in 65% (13/20), depersonalisation in 45% (9/20), and personal accomplishment in 35% (7/20) of registrars. A high degree of burnout was reported by 75% (15/20) of registrars in one or more domains. In the previous 7 days, registrars worked an average of 77 hours, took 1.5 overnight calls, slept 5.7 hours per night, and 53% (10/19) had ≥1 of their patients die. Five (25%) registrars considered leaving Botswana to work in another country, which correlated with those with the highest degree of burnout. The most common frustrations included insufficient salary and limited medical resources. Suggested interventions included improved mentorship and wellness lectures.

Conclusions. There is a high degree of burnout, especially emotional exhaustion, among registrars. Encouragingly, most registrars have a desire to work in Botswana after training. Future research on improving registrar wellness in low-resource settings is urgently needed.


Authors' affiliations

K D Westmoreland, Global Health Center and Department of Pediatrics, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana; Botswana-University of Pennsylvania (Botswana-UPenn) Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana

E D Lowenthal, Global Health Center and Department of Pediatrics, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, PA, USA; Botswana-University of Pennsylvania (Botswana-UPenn) Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana; University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, PA, USA

R Finalle, Global Health Center and Department of Pediatrics, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, PA, USA; University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, PA, USA

L Mazhani, Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana

M Cox, Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana

J C Mwita, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana

S B Mphele, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana

C E Turner, Global Health Center and Department of Pediatrics, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, PA, USA

A P Steenhoff, Global Health Center and Department of Pediatrics, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana; Botswana-University of Pennsylvania (Botswana-UPenn) Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana; University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, PA, USA

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Keywords

Registrar; Resident; Junior doctor; Medical education; Burnout; Wellness; Sub-Saharan Africa; Botswana; Maslach Burnout Inventory

Cite this article

African Journal of Health Professions Education 2017;9(3):98-102. DOI:10.7196/AJHPE.2017.v9i3.881

Article History

Date submitted: 2017-09-27
Date published: 2017-09-27

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