Workforce guidelines, burnout, work engagement and the intention to leave. A cohort study among Dutch Emergency Physicians.

Background and importance Emergency medicine (EM) physicians work in a dynamic and challenging environment, with high risk of burnout. The prevalence of work engagement, burnout and the intention to leave among Dutch EM physicians have not been studied before. This study aims to evaluate the adherence to the DSEP workforce recommendations, and the association between these recommendations and signs of burnout, work engagement and the intention to leave the profession. Methods Cross-sectional survey-based cohort study among all Dutch EM physicians. Burnout and work engagement were assessed using the Dutch version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale. Main results Overall, 295 EM physicians participated (response rate 56%, 68% female, median age 39 years). Fifty-five respondents (18.5%) met the criteria for burnout. Compared to other Dutch healthcare providers, EM physicians scored significantly higher on depersonalization and lower on personal accomplishment. The burnout rate among Dutch EM physicians compared favourably to those reported in international literature. Work engagement was higher compared to studies among other Dutch medical specialists. Intention to leave the profession was high with 22-29%. Adherence to the workforce recommendations varied widely between hospitals. Conclusions Almost a fifth of Dutch EM physicians experience burnout and adherence to workforce recommendations varied widely. Work engagement amongst Dutch EM physicians was relatively high. Intention to leave was high. To ensure a sustainable future in which EM physicians are protected from burnout, supported in their work, and where disproportionate job turnover is minimized, it is crucial these results are met with decisive action. This study creates a foundation upon which future research can build and a repeating questionnaire is already planned for end 2025.