Burnout Across Healthcare and Education: Evidence, Interventions, and a Multilevel Framework

Abstract

Currently, occupational and academic burnout is impacting the daily operations of many hospitals and schools. For example, burnout affects staff retention, patient safety, and student learning quality. Similar effects are observed among students in radiology, dentistry, pharmacy, anesthesiology, and surgery. However, research findings on burnout remain scattered across different disciplines.

This review summarizes recent research on the prevalence, driving factors, and coping strategies of occupational burnout.Particular attention is given to healthcare systems in low- and middle-income regions and in Asia, where evidence remains limited.

Studies published between 2020 and 2025 were examined. The sample covered healthcare workers and students at different stages of training. Findings were grouped into four areas: how burnout is measured, what conditions contribute to it, which personal and social resources offer protection, and which organisational or system-level actions appear useful.

High burnout levels were reported among radiologists and dentists. In some studies, over 80% of radiologists met criteria on at least one burnout dimension. Dentists often showed severe emotional exhaustion and low professional fulfilment. Community and academic pharmacists also reported heavy strain. Academic radiologists carried greater workload and higher burnout than private practitioners. Among adolescents, roughly one in ten met criteria for academic burnout. For left behind children, neglect, insecurity, and low self-esteem were closely tied to these outcomes. Protective resources including social support, self-compassion, perseverance, and resilience were linked to more favorable outcomes, although their development and availability varied widely across contexts.