Burnout and Ways to Reduce It among Postgraduate Residents of Neurosurgery

Abstract

Objective:  The objective of the study was to know the rate of burnout and to explore the potential means to reduce burnout among neurosurgery residents.

Methods:  This mixed-method explanatory sequential study was conducted at the Neurosurgery department of Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar from July to September 2021. In the first phase of the study, burnout was assessed in postgraduate residents of Neurosurgery and its relationship with different demographic factors (quantitative). In the second phase focus group discussion with the residents were conducted to explore the ways to reduce burnout in residents (qualitative).

Results:  23 residents participated in the study. Burnout was found in 17 (73.9%) residents. The relationship between different demographic factors with burnout was not statistically significant. The results of the FGDs showed that the reasons behind burnout are; more workload, decrease interaction with the seniors, extra burden on trainees, conflicts with patient’s attendants, increased entries in the HMS system, wrong referrals from the periphery, decrease security of doctors in high-risk areas and lack of ownership by the seniors. The postgraduate residents suggested different ways to reduce burnout; including proper security of residents and all the staff, appreciation of the performance, peripheries should be developed and functional, SOPs for every part of the training should be advised, and proper training of the ancillary staff.

Conclusion:  The majority of the neurosurgery residents were burnout and there is no statistically significant difference between different demographic factors related to burnout. This study also provided preliminary ways to reduce burnout among neurosurgery residents.