Work-related burnout among personnel at a university hospital: identifying quantitative and qualitative differences using latent class analysis

Abstract

Abstract Background Burnout among hospital personnel is frequent and has impacts on the quality of care. Monitoring is important, but there is a lack of specificity for individual patterns of burnout syndromes. Aims This study aimed to identify specific burnout profiles in a hospital setting. Method Using job satisfaction data from a survey of 4793 hospital personnel, we performed a latent class analysis on the work-related items of the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI). Total burnout score, job satisfaction and work-related variables were compared across classes. Results Five latent work-related burnout profiles were revealed, including a high-risk class (9.5% of participants) and two classes with similar total CBI scores: a high-fatigue class (6%), including young administrative personnel who reported less pleasure at work but a better work–life balance, and an emotional-exhaustion class (13.1%), including older healthcare personnel who were more satisfied at work and could use their skills appropriately. Finally, personnel in the high-risk class were younger healthcare professionals, reporting lower job satisfaction, poorer working conditions and less respect from their direct hierarchy. Conclusions The risk and type of burnout depended on personnel’s characteristics and their social and work environments. Tailored interventions should be used to address these different profiles.