Burnout syndrome (BOS) among resident doctors in an Egyptian tertiary care university hospital: Prevalence and determinants during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Objectives: The current study aimed to detect the BOS prevalence and determinants among residents working during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in an Egyptian tertiary university referral hospital. Methods: A cross-sectional study evaluating the working period from June to November 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic second wave, through a five sections questionnaire evaluating: 1 − sociodemographic characteristics, 2 − job characteristics, 3 − negative thoughts related to their job, 4 − resident’s health problems, and 5 − evaluating BOS through Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) scale (including emotional exhaustion [EE], depersonalization [DP], and personal accomplishment [PA] as subscales). Results: We included 230 residents with a median age of 27 years. The median MBI sub-scales (IQ Range) values were 30.0 (20, 39), 21.0 (15, 30), and 29.5 (22, 36) for EE, DP, and PA, respectively. About 51.0% and 83.0% of the residents were high in EE and DP, while 8.7% were low in PA. The median EE and DP were higher in younger age (⩽27 years; p = .002 and .024), males ( p = .001 and <.001), working >90 hours weekly ( p = .016 and <.001), exposure to harassment ( p < .001), and having COVID-19 infection ( p = .002 and .001). Residents working in surgical departments reported higher DP scores than those in non-surgical departments ( p = .03). There was a mild positive correlation between working hours per week and the total scores in EE and DP, r = .24 ( p < .001) and r = .23 ( p = .001) respectively, while it was found to have a negative correlation with the PA ( r = −.133 and p = .044). Conclusions: The BOS is evident and considerably high among the residents working during the COVID-19 pandemic. Younger age, males, working in surgical departments, and those who got COVID-19 infection were most vulnerable.

The prevalence of burnout among pulmonologists or respiratory therapists pre- and post-COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Burnout is a work-related syndrome of emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP) and a reduced perception of personal accomplishment (PA) [ 5 ]. Multiple studies have indicated that during the COVID‐19 pandemic, nurses [ 6 ], physicians [ 7 ], surgeons [ 8 ], residents [ 9 ] and medical students all experience high levels of burnout [ 10 ]. Significant differences were noticed across various specialities [ 11 ].…”

Frequency of Burnout Syndrome in Doctors during COVID-19 Pandemic in a Tertiary Care Hospital

“…It was reported in Italy 37%, Spain 41%, Portuguese 53% and Australia as 30%. 13 Studies in Egypt mentioned that one in two doctors had high EE and DP and low PA. 14 Burnout syndrome has detrimental effects on the efficiency of doctors. 9 The doctors at early stage of their careers have increased workload, more workplace responsibilities, sleep deprivation and low income.…”