[Burnout and Gratification Crises in Female and Male Physicians during Postgraduate Medical Education in Germany - A Longitudinal Study].

Several studies have demonstrated high work related stress and burnout symptoms in physicians. The study examined the longitudinal relationships of burnout and gratification crisis during 6 years of postgraduate medical education, controlled for gender and parental status. Data acquisition was carried out within the KarMed-study. Administered were the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI-HSS (MP)) (MBI) and the Effort-Reward-Imbalance (ERI). The analyses focused on general linear models and general linear mixed models with repeated measure designs. The amount of burnout perceived at the beginning of the postgraduate medical education is highly associated with the perceived amount of burnout at the end. Gratification crisis were significant for one subscale of the MBI (emotional exhaustion), yet not for personal accomplishment nor depersonalization. Significant time effects were found on all 3 subscales of the MBI, with gender effects on the subscales emotional exaustion and depersonalization. Having kids did not have significant effects, controlled for all measurement points of burnout as well as for gratification crisis. Theoretical implications and practical consequences for doctors, as well as the limitations of the study, are discussed.