Medical students’ occupational burnout and its relationship with professionalism

Abstract

Introduction: Occupational burnout is a prevalent syndrome among medical students as well as other health professionals. It may be an important factor contributing to professional conducts. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of burnout among medical students of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences at clinical level and its relationship with professionalism. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, all medical clinical students who had spent a minimum of six months of the first year of clinical level and who were in their final year, in 2015-16 were examined (using the census method). Data were gathered using demographics, educational background, and the dimensions of professionalism questionnaires and Maslach Job Burnout Inventory. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, ANOVA and Pearson correlation test by SPSS, version 14. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The total mean score of burnout was 61.37±20.44 (moderate). In this study, 54.3% of the students had low, 35.2% moderate and 10.4% high job burnout. There was a negative correlation between job burnout and professional ethics with Pearson correlation test (p<0.000, r=0.23). There was no significant relationship between the increase in academic years and burnout. Conclusion: Regarding the high prevalence of burnout and its adverse effects among medical students, developing a workplace assistance program and adequate facilities to help them is necessary. Also, due to the negative correlation between professionalism and burnout, continuous training of professional ethics should be taken into consideration by educational authorities.

Keywords

• Burnout
• Professional ethics
• Medical students