El Jammal T, Sève P, Jamilloux Y.
Rev Med Interne . 2026 Jan 27:S0248-8663(26)00003-2.
doi: 10.1016/j.revmed.2026.01.001
PMID: 41605749
ABSTRACT
Objective: To estimate the prevalence of burnout among internists practicing in France, identify its determinants, and describe their professional experience based on free-text comments.
Methods: A national cross-sectional online survey was conducted at the end of 2024 through the French National Society of Internal Medicine (SNFMI). The questionnaire included a modified burnout inventory (mMBI) and contextual items related to work organization, sleep, and mental health. Severe burnout was defined by a high emotional exhaustion (EE) score≥27 or a high depersonalization (DP) score≥10. "Triple impairment" was defined as the combination of high EE, high DP, and low personal accomplishment (PA≤33). Analyses included comparisons across professional profiles and multivariable logistic regressions. A thematic analysis of free-text comments complemented the quantitative findings.
Results: Among 434 respondents (123 residents, 244 attending physicians, 67 academic staff), 58% met criteria for severe burnout and 19% for triple impairment. In the adjusted model, severe burnout was associated with≥55 working hours per week (aOR 1.82; P=0.018), insufficient recognition (aOR 3.24; P<0.001), altered sleep (aOR 4.37; P<0.001), and psychotropic medication use (aOR 2.56; P=0.014). Over 70% of participants provided at least one free-text comment, most often describing emotional fatigue, loss of meaning, bureaucratization, and lack of consideration, while also emphasizing a strong sense of vocation, teamwork, and commitment to patients.
Conclusion: Burnout among French internists is frequent and multifaceted, primarily driven by organizational factors. Simplifying medical work, enhancing institutional recognition, and strengthening professional autonomy appear to be the key levers.
Keywords: Bien-être; Burn-out; Burnout; Charge de travail; Institutional appreciation; Internal medicine; Médecine interne; Reconnaissance institutionnelle; Sleep disorders; Troubles du sommeil; Well-being; Workload.
