Work-Life Conflict and Its Health Effects on Korean Gastroenterologists According to Age and Sex.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the work-life pattern and prevalence of occupation-related symptoms, as well as the effect of work-life balance on health status according to age and sex among Korean gastroenterologists.

Methods: A total of 222 gastroenterologists from 44 nationwide centers in South Korea participated in an anonymized self-responded electronic questionnaire survey about their daily activities and symptoms for 14 days. Musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal and mental symptoms were scored using a numerical scale. The Maslach Burnout Inventory was used to measure the burnout score.

Results: Korean gastroenterologists (124 men and 98 women) spent 71.5 ± 19.0 h/week for work (54.0 ± 16.2 in-hospital and 17.5 ± 9.5 out-of-hospital), without any differences regarding sex. However, women spent more time performing housework and parenting (20.7 ± 19.0) compared to men (14.3 ± 13.3, P = 0.007). Musculoskeletal pain was found in 199 respondents (89.6%), and women had a higher total pain score compared to men in all age groups (P = 0.016). Gastrointestinal and mental symptoms were found in 119 (53.6%) and 153 (68.9%), respectively. Work-life ratio was significantly correlated with musculoskeletal (P < 0.001), gastrointestinal (P = 0.048) and mental symptoms (P = 0.003). Using the Maslach Burnout Inventory, 64.4% of the respondents demonstrated burnout. Moreover, emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and personal accomplishment scores were worst in women in their 30s or 40s.

Conclusion: Korean gastroenterologists suffered from musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal and mental symptoms and were highly prone to burnout due to long and laboring work. Work-life imbalance and burnout were most severe in young women doctors due to their domestic demands.