Experience of Burnout Syndrome In Resident Physicians

Abstract

Medical residents, as a population that is in formation and that represents the workforce in public hospitals, are in a particularly vulnerable situation for the development of burnout syndrome (BOS), defined as a psychosocial disease in response to chronic stress in the work environment. This study analyzed the impact of BOS on a personal level, residents’ ways of coping, and the perceived needs to prevent it.

Objectives

To analyze the experience of BOS in medical residents of Mexico City.

Methods

Qualitative design with a phenomenological approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted. Participants were medical residents in training who agreed to participate. Data analysis was based meaning categorization and condensation, as well as some elements of discourse analysis.

Results

We had interviews with residents of gynaecology, otorhinolaryngology, family medicine and psychiatry. We have found that there are some specific aspects that contribute to the development BOS:

– the hidden curriculum that has become evident through unnecessary punishments;

– various roles to be met simultaneously by residents;

– the basic needs like sleeping and eating right are not being met due to excessive workload.

– impact in general health.

Conclusions

It is necessary to make visible the complexity of the BOS and its impact on trainees to prevent deterioration in the quality of life and overall health status. It would be to achieve the satisfaction of basic needs as essential conditions for physical and mental well-being of all human beings, and more so for those whose task is to contribute to the health of others.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.