Burnout among Algerian public healthcare workers: Prevalence, predictors, and the protective roles of self-compassion and communication skills

Burnout among Algerian public healthcare workers remains understudied despite staffing shortages, limited resources, and heavy workloads. The present study examined the prevalence and predictors of burnout, focusing on self-compassion and communication skills. A cross-sectional survey of 387 practitioners from public hospitals used validated Arabic measures: Burnout Assessment Tool-Short Version, Self-Compassion Scale-Short Form, and Health Professionals Communication Skills Scale-Short Form. Practitioners aged 31-40 reported the highest burnout and exhaustion (p < 0.05). Females showed greater exhaustion than males (p < 0.05). Emergency/ICU/surgery staff reported lower burnout (p < 0.05). Burnout correlated positively with self-judgment, isolation, and over-identification, and negatively with empathy, respect, and social skills (p < 0.05). In regressions, self-judgment (β = 0.21) and over-identification (β = 0.12) predicted burnout, while empathy (β = -0.14) and social skills (β = -0.10) were protective. Self-judgment was the strongest risk factor, while empathy and social skills were protective. Interventions fostering self-compassion and communication skills may help reduce burnout.