The Risk Factors of Job Burnout Among Nurses in Saudi Arabia: A Quantitative Method Systematic Review

Abstract

Job burnout, more simply referred to as ‘burnout’, describes a psychological syndrome triggered by chronic, unaddressed stress in the workplace. The high prevalence of burnout among nurses poses a significant challenge, exacerbating the already critical issue of nursing shortages worldwide. Saudi Arabia has recorded particularly high rates of burnout among nurses, at between 32% and 71%, but the factors which cause burnout in the country are not well-understood. This study reports the findings of a systematic review which examines the prevalence and risk factors associated with burnout among nurses in public hospitals in Saudi Arabia. It examines 10 studies conducted between 2018 – 2023 and provides an updated estimate of burnout based on prevalence rates reported across the country. It also identifies the leading factors associated with burnout in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, categorising them as either sociodemographic, occupational or psychosocial and discussing the reasons for them. The study estimates that the current prevalence of burnout among nurses in Saudi hospitals is 51.3%, with the highest rates in the north of the country and the lowest rates in the south. The main sociodemographic factors affecting burnout are gender, age, nationality, marital status, education and medical history. The occupational factors include weekly work hours, shift patterns, department, career rank, years of experience and salary level. Psychosocial factors affecting burnout include emotional demands, commitment, influence and work, reward and recognition, role clarity and health and well-being. The study concludes by discussing the implications of the research for advanced nurse practitioners and evidence-based practice and proposes a number of recommendations to reduce the risk of burnout among nurses based on the findings of the systematic review.