Burnout among Portuguese medical residents - results from a nation-wide study

Purpose: Assess the prevalence of burnout among Portuguese medical residents on a nationwide scale and to explore its association with socio-professional and demographic factors Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional observational, nation-wide study. We examined the association of burnout with socio-professional and demographic variables. Results: There were 1 737 participants in the study (16.9% of total residents). 84.8% of residents worked overtime, with the average weekly working hours being 52.8 hours. Only 16.5% of residents considered their work-life balance to be well balanced. 24.7% of residents had severe burnout symptoms and 55.3% were at risk. A significant proportion of residents presented severe symptoms of emotional exhaustion (64,7%), depersonalization/dehumanization (45,8%) and lack of personal accomplishment (48,1%). 35.3% of residents initiated psychological support during residency. Doctors who had been residents for longer, who had a worse work-life balance, less autonomy and who worked more hours presented with higher levels of burnout. There was a significant association between burnout and the start of psychological/psychiatric counselling. In comparison with other studies, burnout is around three times more prevalent in residents than specialists doctors. We found similar burnout rates in comparison with international studies but a smaller percentage of residents engaged. Conclusion: This was the first nationwide study to assess burnout symptoms in Portuguese medical residents. The prevalence of burnout and the high number of people at risk should alert us to the need to develop specific organizational strategies for medical residency.