Abstract
ObjectivesTo determine the prevalence of and the risk factors associated with burnout and stress for medical students in Saudi Arabia.MethodsA cross-sectional, survey-based study was distributed between January and February 2018 among all 500 medical students from the first to fifth years in a medical college; 356 of the students responded (71.2% response rate). Burnout was measured using the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey (MBI-SS) while the stress level was measured using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). Socio-demographics, professional characteristics, and participation in extracurricular activities were also included as possible predictors of burnout and stress.ResultsThe study revealed that the stress level was (51.7%, n= 184) and the rate of high burnout was (38.2%, n= 136), expressing high exhaustion (77.8%, n=277), high cynicism (65.7%, n=234), and low academic efficiency (45.5%, n=162). Half of the students (50%, n=178) participated in extracurricular activities and were involved in one or more activities such as organizing activities and medical volunteering (n = 52, 14.6%), research (n = 59, 16.6%), and physical exercise (n = 71, 10.4%). There was a statistically significant positive correlation between overall burnout and a lower grade point average (GPA) (OR = 0.581, p 0.004, 95% CI = 0.400 to 0.843). A statistically significant positive correlation was found between stress and students with a lower GPA (OR = 0.737, P = 0.0.23, 95% CI = 0.566 to 0.959); stress was also higher in students who were not involved in any extracurricular activities (OR 1.893, P = 0.004, 95% CI = 1.22 to 2.918).ConclusionOur study shows high burnout rates among medical students. Low GPA students in this study showed a higher overall burnout. Stress was high in our study participants and was higher in students with a low GPA and in students who were not involved in any extracurricular activities.
Highlights
Medical schools are known to be a stressful environment that often leads to a negative effect on the students' academic performance and physical and psychological health
There was a statistically significant positive correlation between overall burnout and a lower grade point average (GPA) (OR = 0.581, p 0.004, 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) = 0.400 to 0.843)
A statistically significant positive correlation was found between stress and students with a lower GPA (OR = 0.737, P = 0.0.23, 95% CI = 0.566 to 0.959); stress was higher in students who were not involved in any extracurricular activities
Summary
Medical schools are known to be a stressful environment that often leads to a negative effect on the students' academic performance and physical and psychological health. Medical students are expected to take responsibility, learn an endless amount of information, engage in multiple activities, and make a huge effort with limited time and energy. This challenges students to develop excellent skills, and meet requirements to be good practitioners. Burnout syndrome is considered to be a public health issue because it has a mental, social, and physical association on people in their workplaces, with a clear effect on the condition of life and performance [1,2,3]. Stress is known as any uncomfortable emotional experience accompanied by predictable
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