ASSESSING BURNOUT AMONG HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS IN A PRIVATE HOSPITAL IN ABUJA, NIGERIA: PREVALENCE, PATTERNS, AND IMPLICATIONS.

BACKGROUND: A current worrisome global trend is the emigration of health workers from resource-constrained areas especially Africa, with 1 in 4 doctors, and 1 in 20 nurses leaving for developed countries. This phenomenon has resulted in a shortfall of over 1.5 million health workers in the region. The factors contributing to the trend remain multifaceted, with provider burnout playing a crucial role in this phenomenon. Several studies have highlighted the burden of burn out among health workers in public facilities. However, there still exists a gap in research, particularly in the context of private healthcare facilities in Nigeria.

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and pattern of burnout in healthcare professionals working at a private hospital in Abuja, Nigeria.

MATERIALS AND METHOD: A descriptive cross-sectional study involving 100 healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses, and pharmacists) was conducted using a multistage sampling method. Data collection included socio-demographic information, occupational details, and the Burnout Clinical Subtype Questionnaire (BCSQ-12). Statistical analysis employed Pearson's Chi-square with a significance level of p < 0.05.

RESULTS: The study revealed 85% prevalence of burnout, with 71% experiencing overload, 61% lacking development opportunities, and 18% feeling neglected. No significant associations were found between burnout and socio-demographic or occupational characteristics.

CONCLUSION: This study highlights the high prevalence of burnout among healthcare professionals. This emphasizes the urgent need for integrating burnout screening into routine health assessments for healthcare workers. Doing so can protect their well-being, which may be a vital step in addressing the healthcare workforce crisis in Africa.