Original Research A review of burnout among doctors in South Africa: Pre-, during and post-COVID-19 pandemic

Saajida Khan, Itumeleng Ntatamala, Shahieda Adams

About the author(s) Saajida Khan, Occupational Medicine Division and Centre for Environmental and Occupational Health Research, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; and Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences, Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha, South Africa
Itumeleng Ntatamala, Occupational Medicine Division and Centre for Environmental and Occupational Health Research, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
Shahieda Adams, Occupational Medicine Division and Centre for Environmental and Occupational Health Research, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa

Abstract

Background: Burnout is defined as a syndrome resulting from chronic workplace stress, which has been unsuccessfully managed. By increasing the occupational challenges faced by doctors, the COVID-19 pandemic potentiated their risk for burnout. This review aimed to determine the prevalence and determinants of burnout among doctors working in South African health facilities pre-, during and post-COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted. PubMed, SCOPUS and EBSCO databases were searched for English publications until April 2024.

Results: A total of 22 cross-sectional studies were included. The prevalence of burnout among doctors working in South African health facilities ranged from 4% to 84% pre-pandemic and 58.9% to 78.0% during and post pandemic, respectively. The lower value of the burnout prevalence range was higher during the pandemic. This review confirmed that individual factors (gender, age, marital status, junior status, practice setting) as well as occupational factors (workload, job control, moral distress, health system issues, job satisfaction, support at work and resilience) were associated with burnout in doctors. There was no significant association between burnout and factors related to COVID-19.

Conclusion: While considerable variability exists in the prevalence of burnout among doctors working in South African health facilities, pre-, during and post-COVID-19 pandemic, the pandemic resulted in greater burnout rates. Factors associated with burnout include both individual and organisational factors, which need to be addressed to mitigate burnout.

Contribution: Mitigation of burnout in South African health facilities should focus on individual-based and context-related interventional measures at an organisational level.

Keywords

burnout; doctors; COVID-19; South Africa; prevalence; determinants.

Sustainable Development Goal

Goal 3: Good health and well-being

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