Assessment of Impact of Anaesthesia Practices on Quality of Life of Anaesthesiologists Practicing in Rajasthan

Abstract

Objective : To assess the impact of anaesthesia practices on quality of life. Anesthesiology is among the most stressful medical disciplines. Analysis of burnout is essential because it is associated with safety and quality of care. Methods :After approval from the institutional ethics committee, an online survey consisting of questionnaire comprising 20 questions was sent to 1000 practicing anaesthesiologists. The answers received were then categorized and analyzed. Demographic profile, job satisfaction and quality of life was assessed through the questionnaire. Quality of life was studied in terms of quality time spent with family , destressing methods used, workouts and exercise done, academic events attended, and ailments acquiredResults: Maximum of the anaesthesiologists were males (61.9%) and belonged to the age group of 25 to 40 years (45.2 %). 54.8 % were practicing in government hospitals while 33.3% worked in private hospitals and 11.9% were free lancers. Only 9.8 % found their salary to be excellent .50 % of the anaesthesiologists worked approximately 6 to 10 hours a day ,46.3% anaesthesiologists did 5 – 10 emergency call duties a month. Only 42 percent had any ot assistant or technician for helping them.54.8 % of the anaesthesiologists felt the work of anesthetist as stressful .46.3 % of the practicing anaesthesiologists acquired ailments as occupational hazard of their practice,out of which 12.2% suffered from backache, 7.3% hypertension,14.6 % acid peptic disease.9.8% had acquired more than one disease.Only 26.2% practicing anaesthesiologist did regular exercise .Only 59.5 % anaesthesiologists spent quality time with their family and this they found a stress buster . Conclusion: The prevalence of burnout syndrome among anesthesiologists is relatively high, and it seems higher in younger physicians with lower experience.