Page 9 - JCBP-2-2

Journal of Clinical and
Basic Psychosomatics Burnout interventions in residency

presentation of research results regarding burnout among 3.2. Social environmental factors
residents. The impact of social environmental factors on the
3. Factors inducing burnout during incidence of occupational burnout among residents has
standardized residency training been a subject of research both in China and abroad.
These factors mainly include doctor–patient relationships,
3.1. Demographic variables career development, social status, humanistic care, and
social support, although there are certain differences due
The incidence rate of burnout among residents to varying national contexts. Common factors highlighted
demonstrates certain demographic differences, such as in domestic studies include highly strained doctor–patient
age, gender, professional title, education level, department, relationships, a sense of imbalance between effort and
work experience, marital status, salary, and benefits. reward, a discrepancy between reality and ideals, a decline
A study by Jiang et al. reported differences between male in social status among medical workers, and a lack of
and female residents, with male residents being more humanistic care. 2,6,23 On an international level, scholars
likely to experience depersonalization, such as apathy, have focused on factors such as a poor perception of the
numbness, and detachment. Zhao and Zhang discovered learning milieu, a lack of positive coping strategies, distrust
20
that burnout was related to years of work experience and in psychological support, the confidentiality of personal
the level of professional title, as doctors with intermediate information, diminished autonomy in the workplace, job
professional titles showed the most severe extent of insecurity, a lack of social empathy, and hindered research
EE. According to Rodrigues et al., the incidence rate of progress. 27,28
24
burnout varies by medical department: 40.8% in General
Surgery, Anesthesiology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Given the unique nature of residents, their social
and Orthopedics; 30.0% in Internal Medicine, Plastic environment at work serves as a significant stressor for
Surgery, and Pediatrics; and 15.4% in Otolaryngology burnout, including long working hours, a high-intensity
and Neurology. In comparison, a study by Tang et al. workload, and insufficient sleep. Dong et al. found
25
revealed that burnout among psychiatry residents is more that the workload of residents mainly stemmed from
prominent than in residents from other departments. maladaptation to the transition from medical student to
21
These differences may result from different personality clinical doctor, heavy research and learning tasks, extra-
traits between men and women, professional titles, years long working hours, strained work requirements, a low
of work experience (total working hours), and the varied sense of professional accomplishment, limited clinical
emotional demands placed on physicians across different decision-making authority, and the possibility of medical
23
departments. In addition, female physicians tend to be risks. In addition, research has demonstrated that
more concerned about emotional input and expression. burnout is closely related to the effectiveness, institutional
A separate study indicates that senior residents consume design, process management, and safeguard mechanisms
21
greater emotional resources. Residents from certain of residency training. The high prevalence of burnout
17
departments, such as psychiatrists, are more emotionally among residents suggests that medical education needs to
depleted compared to other departments because their consider the aforementioned social environmental factors
work requires greater emotional involvement, empathy, in a more targeted and top-down manner.
and attention to patients’ emotions. 21 3.3. Individual factors

It is noteworthy that certain demographic factors have The level of burnout differs significantly among individuals,
inconsistent effects on burnout among residents. For particularly concerning their stress coping levels,
example, some studies have found that married people feel personal health conditions, clinical skills, doctor–patient
a heavier workload, possibly because they have family and communication skills, lifestyle, and leisure activities.
3,20
marital responsibilities to deal with in addition to their Factors such as overall stress levels, perceived stress levels,
daily jobs. 23,26 Nevertheless, other studies have discovered negative emotions (irritability, anger, tension, anxiety, and
significantly higher levels of burnout among unmarried guilt), and poor physical and mental health conditions
residents than among the married group, suggesting that have a significant impact on burnout levels. 19,22,23,28
the support of a marital partner may partially alleviate the Individual differences in clinical work, such as operational
stress experienced by residents at work. However, one skills, communication skills, and clinical experiences, also
3,19
study reported no statistically significant differences in the contribute to varying degrees of burnout. Furthermore,
29
impact of marriage on residents’ burnout. Fluctuations in different lifestyles influence burnout levels among
6
research results may be caused by other related factors, such individuals, with a high correlation between burnout and
as sample size, sample source, and statistical survey method. factors such as physical exercise and sleep quality. 30

Volume 2 Issue 2 (2024) 3 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcbp.1153