Prevalence of Burnout among Medical Residents of a University Hospital

ABSTRACT Introduction Medicine is a labor activity known for high standards of demand. The medical professional’s training period includes medical residency, a step in which stressors factors can be magnified. Thus, this population could be more susceptible to the syndrome of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and reduced professional accomplishment, known by burnout. Objective To determine the prevalence of burnout and of each of its dimensions in the population of medical residents of the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA) and to investigate associated socio-occupational characteristics. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out with medical residents of the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA) conducted from December 2015 to January 2016, using a computerized instrument containing two questionnaires: one with sociodemographic variables and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI).Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS Software version 18, using Fisher’s exact test and Pearson’s chi-square test. for correlations. Results Of the 506 HCPA medical residents’, 151 participated voluntarily in the study. Burnout was present in 123 participants (81.5%). “Emotional exhaustion” was the most frequent dimension (53%), followed by “depersonalization” (47.7%) and “lack of professional achievement” (45%). Male gender and residents of the second year had a higher statistical possibility of developing Burnout, and the latter, also presented lower professional achievement and greater depersonalization. Fourth-year residents were less associated with depersonalization and burnout overall. Residents of surgical specialties were less associated with emotional exhaustion. Studying psychiatry was shown to be a protective factor for depersonalization, while radiology presented a risk to this dimension. Conclusion The high prevalence of burnout among medical residents especially among those attending the second year, raises concern, since it can lead to the risk of developing depression, to professional abandonment, to a decrease in the quality of care provided to patients. Thus, preventive measures against its development associated to the early diagnosis and adequate clinical management are fundamental for the reduction of its prevalence.