EMPATHY AND BURNOUT AMONG PHYSICIANS PROVIDING REANIMATOLOGICAL AND SURGICAL TREATMENT

Abstract

Background. Among scientific publications it is observed that in medicine the aspect of interpersonal connection
is underestimated while providing medical help (Steinhausen et al., 2014), and not enough attention is being allocated
to the effect of a physician’s empathy in the treatment process (Hojat et al., 2002a). The lack of scientific publications
shows that this topic is under-researched and relevant. Thus, the purpose of the study was to determine relationships
between empathy and burnout among practicing physicians.
Methods. A total of 185 practicing physicians who provide reanimatological and surgical treatment participated
in the research. A questionnaire was designed for the study, consisting of the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy
(Hojat, 2016), Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (Kristensen Borritz, Villadsen, & Christensen, 2005).
Results. Research revealed that the expressiveness of empathy between doctors is not related to sex, age, work
experience and speciality (p > .05). Also,  it was  found  that younger physicians experienced more work-related
burnout (p = .04). the study showed that there was no statistically significant relationship between empathy and
burnout among physicians (p > .05).
Conclusions.  Research  showed  that  physician’s  empathy  was  not  related  to  demographic  factors.  Findings
revealed  that  younger  doctors  experienced  more  work-related  burnout  than  the  older  ones.  Finally,  connection
between empathy and burnout was not found.