Workforce guidelines, burnout, work engagement and the intention to leave: A cross-sectional study among Dutch emergency physicians

Background and importance: Emergency medicine physicians (EMPs) work in a dynamic and challenging environment, with high risk of burnout. The prevalences of work engagement, burnout and the intention to leave among Dutch EMP have not been studied before. This study aims to evaluate the adherence to the Dutch Society of Emergency Physicians (DSEP/NVSHA) workforce recommendations, and the association between these recommendations and signs of burnout, work engagement and the intention to leave the profession. Methods: Cross-sectional online survey based study among all Dutch EMPs in 2019. Two main outcomes, the prevalences of burnout and work engagement, were assessed using the Dutch version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale. A third main outcome, the intention to leave, was assessed by three self-developed questions. The correlations between the adherence to twelve workforce recommendations and these three main outcomes were assessed using SPSS. Main results: 295 EMPs participated (response rate 56%, 68% female, median age 39 years). Fifty-five respondents (18.5%) met the criteria for burnout. On work engagement, 29 (16.6%) respondents scored low to extremely low (i.e., the 25th groups’ percentile) and 97 (32.9%) respondents scored high to extremely high (i.e., the groups’ 75th percentile). Intention to leave the profession was high with 22–29%. Higher adherence to the workforce recommendations was significantly associated with all three main outcomes, as were five out of twelve separate recommendations. Conclusions: To ensure a sustainable future in which EMPs are protected from burnout symptoms, supported in their work, and where disproportionate job turnover is minimized, it is crucial these results are met with decisive action. Hospital management must address the unique challenges and risks providing excellent 24/7 emergency care presents. Workforce guidelines are designed to proactively create a more sustainable work environment. This study underscores the necessity of its implementation and creates a foundation for future research.