PREVALENCE OF BURNOUTIN MEDICALSTUDENTS IN ROMANIA DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC RESTRICTIONS (PRELIMINARY DATA)

Abstract

Medical student burnout can cause emotional exhaustion and detachment from educational objectives. The objectives of this study were to evaluate burnout using the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey for Students (MBI-GS(S)) associated with online education and pandemic restrictions. Methods: The MBI-GS (S) was administered to final-year medical students at Romania's most prominent medical faculties from June to July 2021. Descriptive statistics and the internal consistency of the MBI-GS (S) were assessed. In addition, mean MBI-SG (S) subscale scores for burnout were calculated for cynicism (CY), emotional exhaustion (EE), and academic efficacy (AE). Results: 50 medical students completed the online survey, and 42% reported self-perceived burnout. The MBI-GS(S) subscale scores were higher for cynicism (CY) (52%) and low professional efficacy (PE) (60%), and almost half of the students (48%) reported emotional exhaustion (EE). Conclusions: Recent studies have found strong associations between burnout in medical students and disappointment in their studies, fear of inadequate professional training, not having necessary skills to enter medical practice, being less than satisfied with the educational system and social support, optimism, and motivation in pursuing a medical career. We suggest the continuation of burnout studies to overcome the limitations of a cross-sectional research design. In addition, measuring burnout in the medical student population could be extended to all study years and how adequate educational strategies and wellness initiatives could ameliorate burnout.