Burnout, depression, life and job satisfaction among Canadian emergency physicians

Our goal was to determine the level of burnout, depression, life and job satisfaction of Canadian emergency physicians. Six instruments were administered: the emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment intensity subscales of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI); the Centre for Epidemiologic Research Self-Report Depression Scale (CES-D); the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS); and the Emergency Physician Job Satisfaction Measurement Instrument (EPJS). Forty-six percent of the sample fell within the medium to high level of emotional exhaustion, 93% within the medium to high range for depersonalization, and 79% within the medium to low range for personal accomplishment. Sixty-one percent were satisfied with their lives, and 75.5% were satisfied with their jobs. Multiple regression analysis showed that increased age, being a department head, and increased weeks of holiday per year were positive contributors to EPJS scores (P < 0.05). Involvement in medical education, increased clinical hours worked per year, and region of residence-Quebec were negative contributors to EPJS scores (P < 0.05). Involvement in medical education is a significant factor among physicians experiencing depressive symptomatology. Time away from clinical practice is important to job satisfaction and emotional well-being.