Prevalence of burnout in medical and surgical residents: A meta-analysis

Zhi Xuan Low, Keith A. Yeo, Vijay K. Sharma, Gilberto K. Leung, Roger S. McIntyre, Anthony Guerrero, Brett Lu, Chun Chiang Sin Fai Lam, Bach X. Tran, Long H. Nguyen, Cyrus S. Ho, Wilson W. Tam, Roger C. Ho*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

The burnout syndrome is characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal achievement. Uncertainty exists about the prevalence of burnout among medical and surgical residents. Associations between burnout and gender, age, specialty, and geographical location of training are unclear. In this meta-analysis, we aimed to quantitatively summarize the global prevalence rates of burnout among residents, by specialty and its contributing factors. We searched PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, and Web of Science to identify studies that examined the prevalence of burnout among residents from various specialties and countries. The primary outcome assessed was the aggregate prevalence of burnout among all residents. The random effects model was used to calculate the aggregate prevalence, and heterogeneity was assessed by I2 statistic and Cochran’s Q statistic. We also performed meta-regression and subgroup analysis. The aggregate prevalence of burnout was 51.0% (95% CI: 45.0–57.0%, I2 = 97%) in 22,778 residents. Meta-regression found that the mean age (β = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.28–0.40, p < 0.001) and the proportion of males (β = 0.4, 95% CI = 0.10–0.69, p = 0.009) were significant moderators. Subgroup analysis by specialty showed that radiology (77.16%, 95% CI: 5.99–99.45), neurology (71.93%, 95% CI: 65.78–77.39), and general surgery (58.39%, 95% CI: 45.72–70.04) were the top three specialties with the highest prevalence of burnout. In contrast, psychiatry (42.05%, 95% CI: 33.09–51.58), oncology (38.36%, 95% CI: 32.69–44.37), and family medicine (35.97%, 95% CI: 13.89–66.18) had the lowest prevalence of burnout. Subgroup analysis also found that the prevalence of burnout in several Asian countries was 57.18% (95% CI: 45.8–67.85); in several European countries it was 27.72% (95% CI: 17.4–41.11) and in North America it was 51.64% (46.96–56.28). Our findings suggest a high prevalence of burnout among medical and surgical residents. Older and male residents suffered more than their respective counterparts.

Original languageEnglish
Article number1479
JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Volume16
Issue number9
Publication statusPublished - 1 May 2019
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

Keywords

  • Burnout
  • Junior doctors
  • Medical
  • Meta-analysis
  • Prevalence
  • Residency
  • Surgical

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