A Cross-Sectional Study of Musculoskeletal Discomfort and Burnout Syndrome in Physicians and Nurses at a University Hospital in Turkey

İbrahim EYݹ, Banu Yeşim BÜYÜKAKINCI²

1. Istanbul Aydın University, Institute of Graduate Education, Department of Occupational Health and Safety, Istanbul, Turkey
2. Faculty of Fine Arts, Haliç University, 5th Levent Neighborhood, 15 Temmuz Şehitler Street, No:14/12 34060 Eyüpsultan/İSTANBUL, Türkiye

• Corresponding Author: İbrahim EYİ ; E-mail: ibrahimey@yahoo.com

Abstract
Background
Musculoskeletal discomfort (MSD) and burnout syndrome (BS) represent frequently occurring issues among physicians and nurses. Psychosocial conditions having a critical role in BS may be a factor in MSD.
Objective
This study aimed to evaluate MSDs and BS, socio-demographics (gender, marital status, education, profession, sleep), work-related characteristics (working year, resting period, working hours, number of shifts) associated with MSDs/BS, and the relationship between MSDs and BS in physicians and nurses.
Methods
The study was cross-sectional and was conducted on 217 physicians and nurses at Trakya University Health Centre for Medical Research and Practice (Hospital) from December 2019 to February 2020 using a pre-designed questionnaire for demographics, Copenhagen Burnout Inventory and Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire. SPSS v.24.0 software and statistical techniques were used to analyse the data.
Results
59% of the participants were physically strained and the average score for BS was 50.33. An association was found between MSDs/BS, and demographic/work-related characteristics (gender, marital status, education, profession, sleep, working year, resting period, working hour, number of shifts). The most common MSDs was in the upper and lower back, left/right lower leg, and left/right leg. The Pearson correlation test showed a statistically significant relationship between MSDs (neck, left/right shoulder, upper back, left upper arm, lower back, left/right forearm, right wrist, left/right lower leg, left/right foot) and BS.
Conclusion
This study concludes that the existence of MSD and BS and the significant association of different demographics with MSD/BS among physicians and nurses needs to be adequately addressed. The interaction of MSD with BS suggests the need for more interdisciplinary research. Protective measures should focus on the most exposed parts of the body.

Keywords: Occupational health and safety, musculoskeletal discomfort, burnout syndrome, physicians and nurses.