Papers of the Week

Burnout is a psychological syndrome that results from chronic exposure to job stress. It is defined by a triad of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment. In research, mostly from high-income countries, burnout is common in health care professionals, especially in anesthesiologists. Burnout can negatively impact patient safety, the physical and mental health of the anesthetist, and institutional efficiency. However, data on burnout for anesthesia providers in low- and middle-income countries are poorly described. This study sought to determine the prevalence of burnout syndrome among all anesthesia providers (physician and nonphysician) working in Zambian hospitals and to determine which sociodemographic and occupational factors were associated with burnout.