Factors Associated With Burnout Syndrome Among Healthcare Workers at Sub-District Health Promoting Hospitals in Khon Kaen Province, Thailand
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Abstract
The recent transfer of sub-district Health Promoting Hospitals (SHPHs) from the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) to a Provincial Administrative Organization (PAO) in Thailand has created new organizational challenges and role adaptations for healthcare workers, potentially increasing their risk of burnout. Understanding factors associated with burnout in this transitional context is crucial for developing effective support systems and ensuring sustainable local health service delivery. This cross-sectional analytical study aimed to investigate factors associated with burnout syndrome among healthcare workers in SHPHs under the Khon Kaen PAO. Data were collected from 315 healthcare workers between November and December 2024, using self-administered questionnaires that measured socioeconomic status, social support, stress, quality of work life, and burnout. The study found that 29.21% of participants experienced high levels of burnout. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that healthcare workers with limited opportunities for personal skill development had 7.73 times higher odds of burnout compared to those with high skill development opportunities. Workers experiencing moderate to very high stress levels had 3.68 times higher odds of burnout compared to those with low-stress levels. A low work-life balance was associated with 2.89 times higher odds of burnout compared to a high work-life balance. The model demonstrated high discriminative ability, with an ROC-AUC of 0.8276. The findings suggest the need for establishing provincial-level training institutes for continuous professional development, implementing stress management systems, and developing flexible work arrangements. Additionally, national policies supporting the transfer of health services to local administration should emphasize systematic workforce capacity building through structured training programs, career advancement pathways, and competency-based skill enhancement that facilitate professional growth. These interventions could help prevent burnout and sustainably strengthen local health systems.
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