COVID‐19 Causing Burnout Among Medical Students

Abstract

IntroductionEmotional exhaustion, excessive depersonalization, and reduced personal achievement define the burnout syndrome. The academic workload on students can cause exhaustion, similar to that of a worker. The Maslach Burnout Inventory‐ Student Survey (MBI‐SS) was designed to reflect student burnout by evaluation of emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and academic efficacy. It has been reported that at least half of the students will suffer burnout at some point in their medical studies. Burnout evaluation has been focused on physicians or those working in hospitals attending coronavirus patients. The psychological burden and pressures on students due to the closure of facilities and schools around the world has not been thoroughly evaluated. The objective was to evaluate the prevalence of burnout in medical students during the COVID‐19 pandemic.Materials and MethodsA cross‐sectional, prospective, and descriptive study was performed. The MBI‐SS was applied during the spring semester to all anatomy students of one of the largest medical schools in Mexico. The study was previously reviewed and approved by the Ethics and Research Committees to be answered anonymously and voluntarily. Results were classified as low, moderate, or high in emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and academic effectiveness.ResultsA total of 154 students participated in the survey, with a mean age of 18.9 years, 60.4% (n = 93) were women. Based on the MBI‐SS definition, 14.9% (n = 23) were identified with symptoms of burnout. There was also a high prevalence of emotional exhaustion (53.9% n = 83), cynicism (16.9% n = 26), and low academic effectiveness (34.4% n = 53). Men were statistically more prevalent towards lower academic effectiveness (p = 0.037) and increased cynicism (p = 0.003), as well as a higher incidence of burnout (26.6% vs 7.5%, p = 0.001).ConclusionsBurnout prevalence among medical students has been reported as high as 46% during the pandemic, however different types of surveys have been used. A previous study using the same survey reported a prevalence of 5.2% for moderate burnout syndrome, in a similar population which could indicate the COVID‐19 pandemic as an influencing factor. Universities need to consider the psychological effects of the pandemic on students, and provide guidance of support alternatives to improve mental health, due to the impact this syndrome may cause on the quality of life.