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Peer-reviewedCC BY-NC-NDJournal of family medicine and primary care

Work-related musculoskeletal injuries and burnout among family physicians: A cross-sectional study

  • Waleed Albishi1
  • Fahad Alajlan2
  • Abdulelah Alrasheed2
  • Abdulaziz Alhokair2
  • Abdulaziz Aljohani2
  • Dan Albishi3
  • Abdulrahman Alaseem1
  1. 1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  2. 2Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  3. 3Department of Clinical Psychology, College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Abstract

Background:: Burnout is a significant concern among family physicians, affecting physician well-being and the quality of patient care. This study assessed the prevalence of burnout and its association with work-related musculoskeletal injuries (WRMSIs).

Methods:: A total of 102 family physicians were surveyed. Burnout was assessed using the Burnout Assessment Tool (BAT), and musculoskeletal pain was evaluated with the WRMSI questionnaire. Associations among burnout, WRMSI, and physician characteristics were analyzed.

Results:: Among participants, 43.2% were between the ages of 31 and 40 years; 51% were men; and 69.6% worked in primary healthcare centers. Burnout was present in 73.5% of respondents. Mean BAT scores showed higher levels of exhaustion (3.31), mental distance (2.82), cognitive impairment (2.68), and emotional impairment (2.47). There was a significant positive correlation between BAT and WRMSI scores (r = 0.324; P < 0.001). Burnout was more common among younger physicians (P = 0.013), those with less experience (P = 0.003), and those working longer shifts (P = 0.016). The most common WRMSI site was the lower back (mean, 4.46), followed by the shoulder (mean, 4.23) and the neck (mean, 3.75). The total mean score on the WRMSI questionnaire was 26.7 (standard deviation, 16.9).

Conclusion:: Burnout is prevalent among family physicians and closely associated with WRMSI. Younger physicians and those working extended shifts are at the most significant risk. Targeted policies and programs to manage workload, improve ergonomics, provide mentoring, and support wellness are needed to reduce burnout and WRMSI.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{albishi2026workrelated,
  title = {{Work-related musculoskeletal injuries and burnout among family physicians: A cross-sectional study}},
  author = {Waleed Albishi and Fahad Alajlan and Abdulelah Alrasheed and Abdulaziz Alhokair and Abdulaziz Aljohani and Dan Albishi and Abdulrahman Alaseem},
  journal = {Journal of family medicine and primary care},
  year = {2026},
  month = jul,
  doi = {10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_854_26},
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13722224},
  note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Work-related musculoskeletal injuries and burnout among family physicians: A cross-sectional study
AU  - Waleed Albishi
AU  - Fahad Alajlan
AU  - Abdulelah Alrasheed
AU  - Abdulaziz Alhokair
AU  - Abdulaziz Aljohani
AU  - Dan Albishi
AU  - Abdulrahman Alaseem
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/07/01
JO  - Journal of family medicine and primary care
DO  - 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_854_26
UR  - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13722224
AB  - Background:: Burnout is a significant concern among family physicians, affecting physician well-being and the quality of patient care. This study assessed the prevalence of burnout and its association with work-related musculoskeletal injuries (WRMSIs).  Methods:: A total of 102 family physicians were surveyed. Burnout was assessed using the Burnout Assessment Tool (BAT), and musculoskeletal pain was evaluated with the WRMSI questionnaire. Associations among burnout, WRMSI, and physician characteristics were analyzed.  Results:: Among participants, 43.2% were between the ages of 31 and 40 years; 51% were men; and 69.6% worked in primary healthcare centers. Burnout was present in 73.5% of respondents. Mean BAT scores showed higher levels of exhaustion (3.31), mental distance (2.82), cognitive impairment (2.68), and emotional impairment (2.47). There was a significant positive correlation between BAT and WRMSI scores (r = 0.324; P < 0.001). Burnout was more common among younger physicians (P = 0.013), those with less experience (P = 0.003), and those working longer shifts (P = 0.016). The most common WRMSI site was the lower back (mean, 4.46), followed by the shoulder (mean, 4.23) and the neck (mean, 3.75). The total mean score on the WRMSI questionnaire was 26.7 (standard deviation, 16.9).  Conclusion:: Burnout is prevalent among family physicians and closely associated with WRMSI. Younger physicians and those working extended shifts are at the most significant risk. Targeted policies and programs to manage workload, improve ergonomics, provide mentoring, and support wellness are needed to reduce burnout and WRMSI.
SN  - 2249-4863
SN  - 2278-7135
ER  -