High rates of occupational burnout syndrome have been found among health service professionals. Our objective was to measure the prevalence of burnout and explore its social demographics and occupational predictors among physicians in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Answers to the Occupational stress questionnaire (OSQ) were used to assess predictors for burnout and the Maslach burnout inventory were used to categorize respondents into low, moderate and high level of burnout.

534 physicians responded to the survey (76% response rate) and 511 questionnaires could be analyzed. 27.0% of respondents had a high score for emotional exhaustion, 23% had a high score for depersonalization/ cynicism and 23% had a low score for personal accomplishment was found in 29% of physicians. Female physicians were reported more likely than male high level of work related stress and burnout. The predictor of personal accomplishment was only marital status (to be single vs not single; β2=-1, 02, P= 0.01). The main predictors of emotional exhaustion were: work is mentally strenuous and low level of friendly communication at work. High feeling of stress, loss of control over the working ambient and possibility to use knowledge at work were associated with high score of depersonalization.

Intervention program in health care organization to prevent stress at workplace and promotion of staff and patient health should be implemented.