Understanding Burnout among Surgical residents: a mixed method study

Abstract Burnout is a complex condition that can strangely affect individuals in healthcare professions, such as surgeons and surgical residents. This study aimed to assess burnout and better explain the concept of burnout in surgical residents and the clarification strategies they take with this ph...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Fariba Khanipoor, Zhila Fereidouni, Sahar Neshat Far, Leila Bazrafkan, Mohammad Nabizadeh
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-01-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-87093-6
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1832571734146940928
author Fariba Khanipoor
Zhila Fereidouni
Sahar Neshat Far
Leila Bazrafkan
Mohammad Nabizadeh
author_facet Fariba Khanipoor
Zhila Fereidouni
Sahar Neshat Far
Leila Bazrafkan
Mohammad Nabizadeh
author_sort Fariba Khanipoor
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Burnout is a complex condition that can strangely affect individuals in healthcare professions, such as surgeons and surgical residents. This study aimed to assess burnout and better explain the concept of burnout in surgical residents and the clarification strategies they take with this phenomenon to solve this problem. This mixed methods study was conducted at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in 2022–2023 with two quantitative and qualitative phases. The statistical population included 114 surgical residents. The census sampling method was used in the quantitative and purposefully in the qualitative phases. The tool of the study was a 22-item Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey questionnaire. Results showed that 27.27% of the residents had no academic burnout, but most 62.73% experienced a moderate level of academic burnout; also, 10% were in mild and severe burnout levels. In the qualitative phase of the study, 1047 codes were extracted after data analysis. The results showed three themes (and nine sub-themes) that emerged from the data analysis: A) Experienced burnout, B) Coping strategies, and C) Proposed strategies to reduce academic burnout. There was a remarkable incidence of burnout in surgical residents, which was higher than predicted. Although academic burnout is not the only factor affecting the residents ' academic decline, it is one of the most essential and significant factors that threaten residents’ motivation and academic performance. The evidence from the current research shows that educational managers and stakeholders should examine the consequences of academic burnout in residents to solve their problems in the current situation through some interventions.
format Article
id doaj-art-7e8fb34aad1040ac8cf72498f17cd08c
institution Kabale University
issn 2045-2322
language English
publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
record_format Article
series Scientific Reports
spelling doaj-art-7e8fb34aad1040ac8cf72498f17cd08c2025-02-02T12:22:30ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-01-0115111310.1038/s41598-025-87093-6Understanding Burnout among Surgical residents: a mixed method studyFariba Khanipoor0Zhila Fereidouni1Sahar Neshat Far2Leila Bazrafkan3Mohammad Nabizadeh4Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Nursing, School of Nursing, Fasa University of Medical SciencesSchool of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Medical Education, Shiraz University of Medical SciencesGeneral Psychology, Department of Psychology, Isfahan UniversityAbstract Burnout is a complex condition that can strangely affect individuals in healthcare professions, such as surgeons and surgical residents. This study aimed to assess burnout and better explain the concept of burnout in surgical residents and the clarification strategies they take with this phenomenon to solve this problem. This mixed methods study was conducted at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in 2022–2023 with two quantitative and qualitative phases. The statistical population included 114 surgical residents. The census sampling method was used in the quantitative and purposefully in the qualitative phases. The tool of the study was a 22-item Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey questionnaire. Results showed that 27.27% of the residents had no academic burnout, but most 62.73% experienced a moderate level of academic burnout; also, 10% were in mild and severe burnout levels. In the qualitative phase of the study, 1047 codes were extracted after data analysis. The results showed three themes (and nine sub-themes) that emerged from the data analysis: A) Experienced burnout, B) Coping strategies, and C) Proposed strategies to reduce academic burnout. There was a remarkable incidence of burnout in surgical residents, which was higher than predicted. Although academic burnout is not the only factor affecting the residents ' academic decline, it is one of the most essential and significant factors that threaten residents’ motivation and academic performance. The evidence from the current research shows that educational managers and stakeholders should examine the consequences of academic burnout in residents to solve their problems in the current situation through some interventions.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-87093-6Academic burnoutMaslach questionnaireResidentsSurgical residentsMixed methods
spellingShingle Fariba Khanipoor
Zhila Fereidouni
Sahar Neshat Far
Leila Bazrafkan
Mohammad Nabizadeh
Understanding Burnout among Surgical residents: a mixed method study
Scientific Reports
Academic burnout
Maslach questionnaire
Residents
Surgical residents
Mixed methods
title Understanding Burnout among Surgical residents: a mixed method study
title_full Understanding Burnout among Surgical residents: a mixed method study
title_fullStr Understanding Burnout among Surgical residents: a mixed method study
title_full_unstemmed Understanding Burnout among Surgical residents: a mixed method study
title_short Understanding Burnout among Surgical residents: a mixed method study
title_sort understanding burnout among surgical residents a mixed method study
topic Academic burnout
Maslach questionnaire
Residents
Surgical residents
Mixed methods
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-87093-6
work_keys_str_mv AT faribakhanipoor understandingburnoutamongsurgicalresidentsamixedmethodstudy
AT zhilafereidouni understandingburnoutamongsurgicalresidentsamixedmethodstudy
AT saharneshatfar understandingburnoutamongsurgicalresidentsamixedmethodstudy
AT leilabazrafkan understandingburnoutamongsurgicalresidentsamixedmethodstudy
AT mohammadnabizadeh understandingburnoutamongsurgicalresidentsamixedmethodstudy