Occupational stress, burnout and job satisfaction among optometrists in Spain: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Purpose: Job satisfaction is an attitudinal variable that describes how people feel in their position. Recent studies indicate that only 45% of Spanish optometrists report job satisfaction, lower than their counterparts in other countries. This study aimed to exhaustively assess factors influencing stress, burnout and job satisfaction within the optometry profession in Spain.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was developed comprising three validated questionnaires: Perceived Stress Scale, Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey and the Font and Roja Job Satisfaction Questionnaire. The survey targeted all registered optometrists in Spain in 2024.

Results: A total of 2259 responses were collected, representing 12.29% of all registered optometrists and ensuring broad demographic representation. The mean age of the responders was 41.20 ± 10.82 years. Spanish optometrists reported moderate job satisfaction and stress levels. Women experienced significantly higher stress, greater emotional exhaustion and lower job satisfaction than men. Regarding the workplace, optometrists working in shopping mall optical stores reported the highest levels of depersonalisation and emotional exhaustion, along with the lowest sense of personal accomplishment and this was the only setting where optometrists reported job dissatisfaction. University-employed optometrists reported the lowest levels of burnout and the highest job satisfaction. Greater age and professional experience were positively correlated with increased job satisfaction and personal accomplishment, while negatively correlated with burnout indicators.

Conclusions: Interventions are needed to reduce stress and burnout, particularly among younger and female optometrists. Improving working conditions-especially in shopping mall optical stores-could enhance job satisfaction, reduce early career attrition and promote better patient care through improved professional well-being.