Professional Burnout Among Ophthalmologists and Ophthalmic Nurses in North Central Nigeria

Professional burnout is a serious occupational health concern among eye care professionals, with implications for workforce retention, patient safety, and service quality in Nigerian ophthalmology departments. This study investigates the prevalence and determinants of burnout among ophthalmologists and ophthalmic nurses in North Central Nigeria. A cross-sectional study will be conducted among all ophthalmologists and ophthalmic nurses working in public tertiary and secondary health facilities in Benue, Kogi, Niger, Nasarawa, Plateau, and Kwara States, and Abuja FCT. The Maslach Burnout Inventory, adapted for the Nigerian healthcare context, will be used to assess emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation, and personal accomplishment dimensions of burnout. Data on workload, remuneration satisfaction, institutional support, and career development opportunities will be collected through a supplementary questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression will identify significant burnout predictors. Reports from Nigerian health workforce literature indicate alarming rates of burnout among specialist health workers, driven by high patient loads, inadequate staffing, low morale, and poor career progression pathways. This study generates zonal evidence for the North Central eye care workforce and will be shared with the Federal Ministry of Health and relevant professional bodies including the Nigerian Ophthalmological Society. Recommendations will address manageable workloads, structured mentorship, professional development funding, and improved welfare packages as workforce retention and burnout mitigation strategies. Sustaining the eye care professional workforce in North Central Nigeria is fundamental to achieving national vision 2000 targets. Keywords: professional burnout, ophthalmologist, ophthalmic nurse, North Central Nigeria, workforce