Individual and residency program factors related to depression, anxiety and burnout in physician residents – a Brazilian survey

Abstract

Background Psychological distress is common among medical trainees. This study aimed to assess the frequency of depression, anxiety and burnout among physician residents and their association with both individual and residency program-related factors. Methods This was a cross-sectional study applying an online survey in a national-wide sample of medical residents from Brazil. Depression, anxiety, burnout and diurnal somnolence were assessed with validated tools (Patient Health Questionnaire-4, 2 items version of Maslach Burnout Inventory, and Epworth Sleepiness Scale). Socio-demographic and residency program-related factors were measured with internally validated instruments. We performed multivariate binary logistic regression analysis for each of the main outcomes. Results Screening for depression, anxiety and burnout was positive respectively in 46.9%, 56.6% and 37.0% of our sample (n = 1,419). Depression was independently related to female sex, longer duty hours, absence of day off, poor learning perception, poor feeling about the residency program, overall occurrence of psychological abuse, anxiety, diurnal somnolence and burnout (AUROC = .859 [95%CI = .840-.878], p < .001). Anxiety was independently associated with female sex, higher age and duty hours, work-personal life conflicts, few classroom activities, providing assistance without supervision, depression and diurnal somnolence (837 [.816-.857], p < .001). Burnout was related to lower age and leisure time, male sex, longer duty hours, absence of day off, provision of care without supervision, choice of the wrong specialty, poor learning, psychological abuse, depression and diurnal somnolence (.780 [.753-.806], p < .001). Conclusion Frequency of psychological distress in residency training is high and related to both individuals and environmental factors, namely high workloads, occurrence of psychological abuse, poor faculty supervision, poor learning experience and work-personal life conflicts.

Moonlighting and physician residents’ compensation: is it all about money? A cross-sectional Brazilian study

“…Some studies have found that moonlighters have a better quality of life and work-life balance, 12 as well as smaller frequencies of burnout 17 and stress, 11 although others did not. 3,14 Poor sleeping patterns due to moonlighting were not observed, although some data 2 pointed it as the main issue of moonlighting.…”

“…Indeed, studies have shown that moonlighting increases income, 2,17 and a large section of literature agrees with that. 1,14,[18][19][20] In contrast, it is worth noting that there are other motivations for moonlighting, such as maximizing learning, getting autonomy and experience, and improving procedural skills. 1,11,15,19 The frequency of moonlighting depends on other factors beyond those mentioned above, such as specialty and hospital demands 21 and workload of residency program training.…”

“…Details and primary analyses of this study have already been published. 13,14 The questionnaire was outreached on social networks (Facebook and Instagram, in pages/profiles of medical residents' associations).…”

The mediating role of general academic emotions in burnout and procrastination among Chinese medical undergraduates during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study

“…Female medical professionals suggested suffer more from burnout, due to discriminative behavior from patients, occupational biases or gendered macro-aggressions ( 57 – 59 ). However, an investigation assessing the frequency of psychological distress among physician residents showed that, whereas female residents were more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression, male residents were more vulnerable to burnout ( 60 ). It seems that, during training and earlier career stages, male medical undergraduates may suffer more from burnout, which were similar to the result of present study.…”

Effects of psychological capital and social support availability on anxiety and depression among Chinese emergency physicians: Testing moderated mediation model

“…In addition, anxiety is also the common mental health problem for medical staff ( Medisauskaite and Kamau, 2019 ). A Brazilian survey showed that the positive rate of anxiety was 56.6% among 1,419 doctors ( de Mélo Silva Júnior et al, 2022 ). Because of the special nature of the work, emergency physicians (EPs) need to be ready to provide medical services for emergency cases and suffer from huge occupational stress ( Basu et al, 2020 ; Janicki et al, 2020 ; Pujo et al, 2021 ).…”