Professional burnout among doctors: modern approaches to diagnosis and prevention

DOI

https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2026.73

Gorina K.A., Khamatkhanova E.M., Samsonova M.M., Romanov A.Yu., Chuchalina L.Yu.
Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, Moscow, Russia

Background: Professional burnout syndrome (PBS) is a worldwide problem in the healthcare system, characterized by a high prevalence among medical workers and a large number of negative consequences both for the doctors and for the quality of care they provide.
Objective: To analyze the prevalence and causes of PBS among medical staff, touching upon the diagnosis, early detection, consequences and current strategies for prevention and treatment.
Materials and methods: We conducted a review and analysis of modern data from the world literature addressing the problem of burnout among medical workers.
Results: The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) is believed to be the gold standard for burnout diagnosing. Epidemiological data demonstrate that 67% of doctors worldwide feel burnt-out, from 50% to 99% depending on the country and the region. The key etiological factors include organizational (excessive workload, administrative burden), professional (high workload and responsibility), and personal (perfectionism, anxiety) features. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the problem, acting as a catalyst for existing issues. Burnout is proved to be significantly associated with an increased risk of medical errors and a decline in the quality of care. The most effective strategies for preventing and treating the PBS should comprehensively combine organizational (workload optimization) and individual (mindfulness practices) measures, which can reduce burnout by 35–40% within 6–12 months.
Conclusion: Burnout among healthcare workers is a multilayered problem that needs to be systemically addressed. The development and implementation of multi-level programs for the prevention and treatment of PBS are crucial for maintaining the doctors’ health status and ensuring patient safety.

Authors’ contributions: Gorina K.A., Khamatkhanova E.M. – study concept and design; Samsonova M.M. – data collection and processing, manuscript writing; Romanov A.Yu., Chuchalina L.Yu. – manuscript editing.
Conflicts of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interests.
Funding: The study had no sponsorship support.
For citation: Gorina K.A., Khamatkhanova E.M., Samsonova M.M., Romanov A.Yu., Chuchalina L.Yu.
Professional burnout among doctors: modern approaches to diagnosis and prevention.
Akusherstvo i Ginekologiya/Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2026; (4): 159-167 (in Russian).
https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2026.73

professional burnout syndrome

doctors

diagnosis

Maslach Burnout Inventory

prevention

mental health at work

mindfulness practices

Full text (in Russian)

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Received 03.02.2026

Accepted 26.03.2026

Kseniya A. Gorina, PhD, Associate Professor at the Department of Simulation Technologies, Researcher at the Institute of Obstetrics, Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, 4, Oparina str., Moscow, 117997, Russia, kseniiagorina@gmail.com,
SPIN: 9928-9715, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6266-2067
Elizaveta M. Khamatkhanova, Dr. Med. Sci., Head of the Department of Continuous Professional Education and Simulation Technologies, Head of the Department of Educational Simulation Technologies in Medicine, Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, 4, Oparina str., Moscow, 117997, Russia, liz39@yandex.ru, SPIN: 7110-1519, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5274-0762
Margarita M. Samsonova, First-year clinical resident specializing in obstetrics and gynecology at the base of Department of I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, 4, Oparina str., Moscow, 117997, Russia, rita.m-2014@yandex.ru, https://orcid.org/0009-0008-7436-6415
Andrey Yu. Romanov, PhD, Head of the Department of Planning and Support of Scientific Projects, Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, 4, Oparina str., Moscow, 117997, Russia, romanov1553@yandex.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1821-8684
Larisa Yu. Chuchalina, Head physician-methodologist at the Department of Strategic Development of Regional Healthcare of the Department of Regional Cooperation and Integration, Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, 4, Oparina str., Moscow, 117997, Russia, +7(495)438-69-48, l_chuchalina@oparina4.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1539-6648
Corresponding author: Kseniya A. Gorina, kseniiagorina@gmail.com

Professional burnout among doctors: modern approaches to diagnosis and prevention

Gorina K.A., Khamatkhanova E.M., Samsonova M.M., Romanov A.Yu., Chuchalina L.Yu.

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