Prevalence of Burnout among Postgraduate Medical Trainees, and Associated Potential Factors With Burnout, At Security Forces Hospital (SFH), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Burnout is a work-related stress syndrome of Emotional Exhaustion (EE), Depersonalization (DP), and decreased Personal Accomplishment (PA). This study aimed at assessing the prevalence of burnout among residents using Maslach Burnout Inventory–Health Services Survey (MBI-HSS) Questionnaire, with the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on their well-being as well. Methods: A Cross-sectional study was conducted on January and February 2022, using online questionnaire distributed to 202 postgraduate medical trainees of 10 training programs, at Security Forces Hospital (SFH), in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Data entry was done using Microsoft Excel and analysed through SPSS version 28.0. Results: 59 out of 202 residents have completed their participation in the study, with response of 29.2%. Males were 69.5% of the participants, and 88.1% were less than 30 years of age. In addition, 66.1% were single, and 37.3% are residents of Family Medicine specialty, and 27.1% are first year residents (R1). 47.5% of residents have high EE, while 25.4% have high DP, and 44.1% have low PA. 37.3% of the residents usually work between 40 - 60 hours per week, while 22% work less than 40 hours per week, and 40.6% work more than 60 hours. Finally, there was a statistically significant association between low PA scores and the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the well-being of the medical trainees (P= 0.006). Conclusion: Burnout scales scores were high among residents. Younger age and bad quality of sleep have an association with burnout risk. The COVID-19 pandemic has a negative impact on residents' wellbeing, and its negative impact on their career as trainee and healthcare professional is considered as a risk for burnout as well.