Abstract
Very few studies have been concerned with assessing the prevalence of burnout and depressive symptoms, especially during an infectious outbreak on non-frontline health care workers, such as a psychiatrist. In such instances, the role of psychiatrists and other mental health providers as a source of psychological support to the public and frontline workers is indispensable and valuable. This study aims to assess the prevalence of burnout and depressive symptoms, and their correlation, during the COVID-19 pandemic among psychiatry residents in Saudi Arabia. A total of 121 out of 150 psychiatry residents in Saudi Arabia completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory and Patient’s Health Questionnaire for the assessment of burnout and depressive symptoms. Burnout symptoms were found in 27.3%, and another 27.3% reported having depression symptoms. In addition, 16.5% reported having both burnout and depressive symptoms, with a significant relationship between them. Participants in the first 2 years of training and having a history of receiving mental health treatment in the past 2 years were at higher risk. The need is urgent to increase investment in mental health services and to construct a plan to reduce this risk of burnout and depression among psychiatrists by developing preventative strategies to prevent burnout and promote wellness is more important than ever.
Highlights
The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has left health-care systems around the globe faced with challenging difficulties combating the pandemic and its impact
This study aims to assess the prevalence of burnout and depression, and their correlation, during the COVID-19 pandemic among psychiatry residents in Saudi Arabia
There are more than 150 psychiatry residents in Saudi Arabia divided into three training locations, the program consists of four training years divided into a junior level (R1–R2) and a senior level (R2–R3) with rotation in inpatient psychiatry unit and outpatient clinic and rotation in consultation–liaison psychiatry and other different rotations, and residents are required to pass a yearly promotional exam to pass to the year
Summary
The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has left health-care systems around the globe faced with challenging difficulties combating the pandemic and its impact. Health care providers have responded tirelessly to deal with these difficult times. The pandemic has left health care providers facing increased work demands and related stress, which has worsened already-existing burnout among health care providers [1]. Freudenberger’s work in 1974 [4] Since this concept has evolved, and various definitions have emerged. Maslach and Jackson promoted the most commonly used definition [5]. They defined burnout as a psychological syndrome affecting mainly professionals working with other people in difficult circumstances, such as health care providers. Burnout is characterized by emotional exhaustion (tiredness and a feeling of being unable to provide more to others), depersonalization (impersonal feelings toward their patients, dealing with them as objects), and deficiency in the feeling of personal achievements [6]
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