Burnout, Safety, and Job Satisfaction among Surgeons in Conflict-Affected Taiz, Yemen
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Abstract
Background: Surgeons work under substantial occupational stress. In conflict settings, this burden is amplified by resource shortages, long working hours, financial strain, and threats to personal safety. Data on burnout in such environments, particularly in Yemen, are scarce.
Objective: To assess the prevalence of burnout and its association with workplace safety and job satisfaction among surgeons in Taiz, Yemen, during ongoing conflict.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 to 28 May 2025 among surgeons in public, private, and NGO hospitals in Taiz. A 35-item questionnaire included demographics, the MBI-HSS, and measures of job satisfaction and perceived safety. Burnout was evaluated using standard subscale scores. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS.
Results: Eighty surgeons participated, 55% male and 53.8% aged 31 to 40 years. Most were government hospital trainees, and 43.8% had less than five years of experience. High emotional exhaustion (EE) was present in 67.5%, high depersonalization (DP) in 15%, and low personal accomplishment (PA) in 36.3%. Overall, 70% met burnout criteria in at least one domain. PA correlated positively with job satisfaction and perceived safety, and safety correlated with job satisfaction, all p < 0.001. EE was higher among females, p = 0.032. PA increased with age, p = 0.034. No significant differences were observed by specialty, hospital type, marital status, or rank.
Conclusion: Burnout is highly prevalent among surgeons in Taiz and is closely linked to safety concerns and job satisfaction. Interventions addressing workplace safety and professional fulfillment are urgently needed in conflict-affected surgical settings.
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Burnout, workplace safety, job satisfaction, surgeons, conflict zone, Yemen/Taiz, healthcare workers.
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