Burnout among doctors is increasingly recognised as a serious threat to medical and dental practice across all specialties; its prevalence is increasing worldwide.1 Burnout is a spectrum of clinical syndromes that were first categorised into three dimensions by Maslach as emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation, and a low sense of personal accomplishment.2 Subsequently, it was added to the International Classification of Diseases as a syndrome that results from poorly managed chronic workplace stress.3

Burnout among doctors can lead to decreased effectiveness and shortening of professional lifespan.4 Burnout exacerbates negative emotions, thereby impeding cognitive performance; it may result in biased decision making. Hence, the well-being of doctors is important for maintaining manpower, quality of care, and equity of care delivery. Multiple studies in different countries have shown that the incidence of burnout among doctors is rising. In the US, a Medscape nationwide survey showed that 59% of emergency medicine doctors experienced burnout symptoms, and the incidence had increased steadily over time.1 In Australia, the National Mental Health Survey found that the level of very high psychological distress was significantly greater in doctors (3.4%) than in the general population (2.6%) or other professionals (0.7%).5 A cross-sectional online survey in the United Kingdom also revealed a high rate of mental health disorders among junior doctors and medical students.6

To our knowledge, studies regarding well-being and burnout among doctors in Asia are limited. Gan et al7 performed a cross-sectional study of general practitioners in Hubei, China; they found a combined prevalence of 2.46% across all three dimensions of emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation, and personal accomplishment. However, that study only included doctors within a single specialty in one province. Huang et al8 found the prevalences of personal burnout and client-related burnout were 44.0% and 14.8%, respectively, among residents in Taiwan; however, they used a non-standardised questionnaire. In Hong Kong, a previous cross-sectional survey showed that 31.4% of respondents among doctors in the public sector had a high rate of burnout, but the sampling criteria were random and non-specific; moreover, that study did not include a substantial proportion of doctors who worked in the private sector.9 Another survey also suggested that burnout was prevalent among doctors in Hong Kong, but it only included graduates from one medical school in Hong Kong.10

Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of burnout in the Hong Kong medical and dental workforce by administering standardised questionnaires to a broad population of residents-in-training and doctors within 10 years of their specialist registration. The study also explored well-being among doctors in terms of job satisfaction, depression, lifestyle behaviours, and factors associated with these states.

In this study, all doctors within 10 years of their specialist registration registered with the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine, as well as residents-in-training registered with one of the Academy’s 15 constituent Colleges, were invited to complete a voluntary cross-sectional survey between February 2019 and June 2019. The cut-off of 10 years was selected because the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine considers doctors within 10 years of their specialist registration to be “young Fellows”. The survey consisted of self-reported demographic data, year of entry into medical school, and current professional details. Burnout was assessed using the validated Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI).11 Depression was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9).12 Lifestyle factors were assessed with reference to the respondents’ drinking habits, sleep patterns, and levels of both exercise and activities. Items concerning job satisfaction and lifestyle behaviours were adapted from existing doctor questionnaires and health surveys.13 14

An online survey was developed in-house by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Innovative Learning Centre for Medicine of the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine, then administered electronically. The invitations to participate were sent via e-mail; two separate reminder emails were sent after the initial invitation. As an incentive, respondents were offered coffee or food coupons after completion of the survey. The study protocol was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the University of Hong Kong/Hospital Authority Hong Kong West Cluster (Ref No: UW 19-062).

PASS 2000 (NCSS, LLC., Kaysville [UT], US; www.ncss.com) power analysis software was used for sample size calculation. The prevalence of personal burnout among young doctors in Hong Kong was assumed to be similar to the prevalence of personal burnout among residents in Taiwan (44.0%)8; thus, to achieve a 95% confidence interval (CI) with a precision of 4.5%, 458 participants were required. Our final sample of 514 doctors was sufficient to achieve the desired statistical power.

This instrument consists of three scales that measure personal burnout, work-related burnout, and client-related burnout; the scales can be applied to workers in all industries and cultures. Personal burnout measures the degree of fatigue experienced by the respondent, irrespective of work experience or occupational status. Work-related burnout measures the degree of fatigue related to work; it explores how the respondent’s perception of work contributes to fatigue. Client-related burnout is the perceived degree of fatigue related to work with clients. The burnout level is calculated as a mean score; therefore, each scale has a value between 0 and 100. A score of ≥50 indicates a high degree of burnout.15 16 17 18

The PHQ-9 is a depression assessment tool, which scores each of the nine Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV criteria for depression on a scale ranging from “0” (not at all) to “3” (nearly every day). A PHQ-9 score >9 has a reported sensitivity of 88% and specificity of 88% for major depression.19

The prevalence of burnout is shown using point estimates and 95% CIs. Descriptive statistics were presented concerning demographic characteristics and lifestyle behaviours. Bivariate logistic models were used to describe the distinct relationships of suicide, depression, and burnout with demographic, educational, and professional characteristics. The data were analysed using SPSS software (Windows version 26.0; IBM Corp, Armonk [NY], US). Statistical significance was set at P<0.05.

There were 746 total respondents; of these, 232 did not complete the entire survey and were excluded from the analysis. Of the included 514 respondents, 284 were doctors within 10 years of their specialist registration, while 230 were residents-in-training. The total number of doctors within 10 years of their specialist registration invited to participate in the survey was 2879; thus, the response rate was estimated as 9.9%. However, it was not possible to calculate the response rate for residents-in-training. The respondents included 277 women (54%); the mean age among all respondents was 33.7 ± 6.1 years. The respondents’ demographic data are summarised in Table 1; their current professional statuses are summarised in Table 2.

Overall, 24% (n=125) of respondents were “somewhat dissatisfied” with their present job position, while 4% (n=19) of respondents were “very dissatisfied” with their present job position. Furthermore, 15% (n=76) of respondents were “somewhat dissatisfied” with being a medical doctor, whereas 2% (n=10) of respondents were “very dissatisfied” with being a medical doctor. Finally, 3% (n=14) of respondents indicated they planned to stop practising medicine in the next 12 months, with stress or burnout (86%) cited as the most common reason for such plans.

As measured by the CBI, the mean personal burnout score was 59.6 ± 20.5, work-related burnout score was 57.3 ± 20.1, and client-related burnout score was 49.0 ± 22.3. Using a CBI subscale cut-off score of ≥50 (moderate and higher), 72.6% (n=373, 95% CI=68.5%-76.4%) of respondents reported personal burnout; 70.6% (n=363, 95% CI=66.4%-74.5%) of respondents reported work-related burnout; and 55.4% (n=285, 95% CI=51.0%-59.7%) of respondents reported client-related burnout (Table 3).

The mean physical component summary score of the 12-Item Short Form Survey was 49.6 ± 7.8; the mean mental component summary score of the 12-Item Short Form Survey was 42.3 ± 10.6 (Table 3).

As measured by the PHQ-9, the mean depression score was 6.2 ± 5.1. However, the prevalence of depression among respondents, defined as a score of ≥10, was 21% (n=110) [Table 3].

In total, 79% (n=404) of respondents did not report any suicidal ideation or attempt. The remaining respondents stated that life was “not worth living” or “wished he or she was dead”; some also reported a history of suicidal ideation or attempts. The most commonly cited source of stress in the past year was clinical responsibilities/job demands.

In terms of health conditions, there was a perception among respondents that their health status was “worse” (29%; n=148) or “much worse” (3%; n=17) than among other individuals of the same age. The mean duration of sleep each night was 6.2 ± 1.5 hours. However, most respondents frequently experienced inadequate sleep when at work; 70% (n=361) of respondents indicated that this occurred weekly or more often. In terms of personal habits, the prevalences of alcohol drinking, drug addiction, and smoking were low. However, the prevalences of regular physical activity and personal physical assessments were not high (Table 4).

Logistic regression modelling was performed to investigate bivariate associations of demographic and professional factors with burnout, the presence of depression, or suicide ideation and/or attempts.

The number of working hour(s) per week (odds ratio [OR]=1.02; 95% CI=1.01-1.04; P=0.001) was positively associated with depression (online supplementary Table 1); having children (OR=0.58; 95% CI=0.36-0.93; P=0.024) was negatively associated with suicidal ideation/attempts. Doctors who completed a project-based learning curriculum during undergraduate study were less likely to be depressed or report suicidal ideation/attempts (depression: OR=0.60; 95% CI=0.39-0.91; P=0.017; suicidal ideation/attempts: OR=0.65; 95% CI=0.43-1.00; P=0.049) [online supplementary Table 2].

Older age (OR=0.97; 95% CI=0.94-0.99; P=0.026), possession of a first university degree in medicine or dental surgery (OR=0.37; 95% CI=0.15-0.89; P=0.027), and possession of Academy fellowship status (OR=0.61; 95% CI=0.41-0.92; P=0.017) were associated with lower likelihood of personal burnout. Engagement in longer working hour(s) per week (OR=1.04; 95% CI=1.02-1.05; P<0.001) and working in Hospital Authority clinics (OR=1.95; 95% CI=1.05-3.62; P=0.034; compared with working in government clinics) were positively associated with personal burnout (online supplementary Table 3). Marital statuses of single, separated, or divorced (OR=1.71; 95% CI=1.16-2.53; P=0.007) and engagement in longer working hour(s) per week (OR=1.03; 95% CI=1.02-1.05; P<0.001) were positively associated with work-related burnout (online supplementary Table 4). Conversely, having children (OR=0.66; 95% CI=0.44-0.98; P=0.038), consultant seniority level (OR=0.27; 95% CI=0.09-0.88; P=0.029; compared with associate consultant seniority level), and working in the private sector (OR=0.40; 95% CI=0.17-0.94; P=0.035; compared with working in government) were negatively associated with work-related burnout. Provision of primary care (OR=1.5; 95% CI=1.04-2.16; P=0.031) was associated with client-related burnout (online supplementary Table 5).

This study attempted to quantify well-being and burnout in young doctors (both resident-in-training, and doctors within 10 years of their specialist registration) throughout Hong Kong; there were three main findings. First, the mean burnout score was high in this group of doctors; mean personal and work-related scores of ≥50 were observed on the CBI. Second, there was a high prevalence of job dissatisfaction (28%) in this group of doctors. Third, the self-perceived personal well-being and mental health were worse in this group of doctors than in members of the general population with similar ages.

Burnout is a well-known occupational hazard in people-oriented professions; doctors are at particular risk of burnout because of their frequent engagement in intense personal and emotional contact with patients. Although these therapeutic and service relationships are highly rewarding and engaging, they can also be a source of stress. Burnout among doctors has been recognised as a global crisis20; its effects on personal, patient, and institutional levels can be substantial. The expectation to meet job demands can lead to maladaptive practices which will ultimately compromise relationships with patients and colleagues, with long-term consequences on patient care.21 Hence, efforts to acknowledge that such a problem exists represents the first step in establishing a systematic strategy to address this crisis.

Although there have been multiple published reports regarding burnout among doctors, territory-wide data focusing on junior doctors in Hong Kong are lacking. Siu et al9 conducted a random sample survey of 226 public doctors in 2012; they found that 31.4% of respondents satisfied the criteria for high burnout. Moreover, young but moderately experienced doctors needing to work shifts were most vulnerable to high burnout. However, the questionnaire used in that study was not comprehensive, the random sampling method did not produce a representative cohort, and only public doctors were invited to the survey. More recently, a more comprehensive survey involving medical graduates of one university in Hong Kong found high prevalences of personal (63.1%) and 55.9% (work-related) burnout using the standardised CBI.10 The more comprehensive survey represents the most comprehensive and robust study in Hong Kong thus far, but it only included graduates from one university in Hong Kong; it did not include any doctors trained elsewhere.

The present study of young doctors throughout Hong Kong found high mean personal (59.6 ± 20.5) and work-related (57.3 ± 20.1) scores on the CBI. The mean client-related score was 49.0 ± 22.3, slightly below the score of 50 that constituted the threshold for burnout. These scores were higher than in the previous study performed in Hong Kong by Ng et al,10 which showed mean CBI scores of 57.4 ± 21.4 (personal), 48.9 ± 7.4 (work-related), and 41.5 ± 21.8 (client-related). Moreover, when compared with studies worldwide that used the CBI to measure burnout in doctors,15 16 18 22 the levels of burnout in the present study were among the highest. Contributing factors may differ among regional healthcare systems; causes of burnout and well-being in junior doctors may not be consistent worldwide. Our study attempted to identify sources of stress among junior doctors in Hong Kong; the most commonly cited sources were clinical responsibilities/job demands and professional examinations. Additional in-depth studies are necessary to determine how these factors can be modified to alleviate stress in junior doctors.

The respondents’ general health statuses (in terms of medical conditions) were not substantially worse than the general population, although 32% of the respondents indicated self-perceived health worse than their peers. The present study also showed that the prevalence of depression was 21%, according to the PHQ-9. This is more than double the prevalence previously reported in Hong Kong (8.4%).23 Despite the high prevalence of depression in the present study, respondents indicated low rates of suicidal ideation/attempts. Although a causal relationship could not be established because of the observational nature of the study, the number of working hours per week and having children were factors that affected risk of depression and suicidal ideation/attempts, respectively. The mean number of hours worked per week was 53.5 ± 14.8 hours. Junior doctors who work >55 hours per week are reportedly twofold more likely to have frequent health problems (OR=2.05, 95% CI=1.62-2.59; P<0.001) and suicidal ideation (OR=2.0, 95% CI=1.42-2.82; P<0.001).24 A previous systemic review showed an association between long working hours and a depressive state in other professions in general.25 Positive effects of reduced working hours among junior doctors have been found in some studies,26 27 but this relationship is not consistently observed. For example, in the United Kingdom, the Working Time Regulations were fully applied to junior doctors beginning in 2009; these comprised a limit of 48 hours per week, averaged across a reference period of 26 weeks, with additional minimum rest periods. However, implementation of the Working Time Regulations has not fully resolved the effects of long hours and fatigue.28 Furthermore, there are implications for professional training and manpower planning if rigid enforcement of such working hours is performed.

Our study did not find any substantial evidence that young doctors were reliant on alcohol, smoking, or drugs as coping mechanisms. This contrasts with findings from the US, which indicated that high levels of alcohol and substance abuse were associated with burnout among doctors.29 It was beyond the scope of the present study to explore other avenues that junior doctors in Hong Kong might use to alleviate their stress levels and burnout. Other health and lifestyle behaviours (eg, exercise levels and personal physical assessments) may be indicative of time constraints related to work or personal obligations; they may also be indicative of self-neglect caused by such constraints and work-related burnout.

This study had several limitations. First, it was a cross-sectional study with voluntary participation, and the results might not be representative of all doctors throughout public and private sectors in Hong Kong. However, to our knowledge, this study performed the most comprehensive survey regarding burnout among doctors in Hong Kong thus far. Second, the study was not designed to avoid selection bias concerning doctors who were more prone to burnout and therefore more interested to participate in such surveys. Third, because the survey did not allow free text entry in the questionnaire responses, more in-depth analysis was not possible in some instances. Fourth, because this was a cross-sectional survey, no causal relationships or risk factors could be established regarding the development of burnout or depression. Fifth, our definition of “young” was based on the 10 years of specialist registration, which included doctors with various levels of experience and responsibilities; thus, the results might not be representative of a specific subset of doctors.

The present study showed that junior doctors in Hong Kong had a high level of burnout, and there was a high prevalence of depression among the respondents. A substantial proportion of the respondents were dissatisfied with their present job position. Future studies to determine causal factors will allow the development and implementation of specific strategies to address these problems within Hong Kong. The maintenance of well-being in junior doctors is vital for sustaining a healthy medical workforce and long-term patient care.

Concept or design: All authors.
Acquisition of data: KYH Kwan, LWY Chan, PW Cheng.
Analysis or interpretation of data: KYH Kwan, LWY Chan, PW Cheng.
Drafting of the manuscript: KYH Kwan.
Critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content: All authors.

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

The authors thank all members of the Young Fellows Chapter of the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine for their active participation in this study; the secretariat and staff of the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine and its Hong Kong Jockey Club Innovative Learning Centre for Medicine for their administrative and information technology support; and the Council of the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine for their active support, encouragement, and funding of the coupons. The authors especially thank Dicken CC Chan for statistical assistance.

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of The University of Hong Kong/Hospital Authority Hong Kong West Cluster (Ref No: UW 19-062).

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