Modifiable Factors Influencing Resilience among Medical Interns

Abstract

Resilience among the medical interns is essential and is protective against the state of burnout. However, it is not thoroughly investigated among medical interns. Is there any behavioural and modifiable factors influencing resilience? The objective of this study is to determine the level of resilience among medical interns in Malaysia and its associated factors. This nationwide cross-sectional study recruited medical interns from 17 randomly selected Malaysian hospitals accredited for medical intern training. All medical interns who reported to the selected hospitals from January to April 2020 were invited to answer an online questionnaire. The questionnaire incorporated Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale-10 (CD-RISC-10) for resilience, USMEQ-i to measure emotional quotient, Brief-Cope to assess coping styles, Preparedness for Hospital Practice Questionnaire (PHPQ test) to assess internship preparedness and questions related to sociodemographic, undergraduate training and interest to become a doctor.<strong> </strong>524 from 870 medical interns (60.2%) responded. Mean resilience score was 28.6 (SD = 6.33). Significant factors associated with resilience include active involvement in sports (p = 0.002), high EQ (p<0.001), interest to become a doctor (p<0.001), coping using humour (p<0.001), less coping by venting (p<0.001) and no failures in any clinical posting (p = 0.012). The regression model was substantiated by adjusted R2 of 62.8%. Factors affecting resilience among medical interns include modifiable factors such as coping styles and involvement in sports. The findings could guide targeted intervention to promote during medical schools or internship preparation programmes to increase resilience among medical interns.

Sociodemographic and work-related factors associated with psychological resilience in South African healthcare workers: a cross-sectional study

“…furthermore reported overall average scores of 28.6 (± 6.3) and 30.0 (± 6.3), respectively, in their studies on Malaysian healthcare workers, both of which were higher than those in the present study. [20,25] Zhou et al ( 2022), however, reported an overall average score of 23.2 (± 9.3) in their study of Chinese resident doctors, which is lower than that obtained in the present study. [26] This variability in the level of resilience observed may be due to differences in the study context (population sampled, time when the study was conducted), resources available in the healthcare system and differences in cultural values and norms, which may result in different coping styles among healthcare workers.…”

“…[6] The average resilience score for the second time point of the longitudinal study was greater than that of the present study Xuan et al (2021). and ElkudssiahIsmail et al (2022) …”