ASSESSING BURNOUT LEVELS: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS BETWEEN CLINICAL RESIDENTS AND MEDICAL STUDENTS AMIDST THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN A REFERRAL HOSPITAL

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected healthcare workers, leading to increased stress and burnout.

Objectives: A comparative study of burnout syndrome in the residents as frontlines and medical students as a control group.

Methods: This study conducted in Tehran, Iran, investigates burnout syndrome among specialized clinical residents and medical students during the pandemic, focusing on prevalence, contributing factors, and potential implications. Data was collected through an online survey, including demographic information and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), with statistical analyses using T-tests, ANOVA, and ANCOVA.

Results: Surveying 109 specialized residents and 109 medical students, the study reveals significant differences in burnout components. Specialized residents showed higher emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and overall burnout compared to medical students (P-value<0.05). Working times and involvement in COVID patient care were identified as significant contributors to burnout, with gender differences associated with depersonalization. The impact of working times on emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and burnout syndrome was also noted.

Conclusion: The study highlights the high prevalence of burnout among specialized residents and calls for targeted interventions. It emphasizes the importance of regulating work hours and introducing stress-reducing activities. The research calls for health authorities to implement measures to promote mental well-being among healthcare professionals, emphasizing the complex nature of burnout during pandemics.