Burnout and stress among interns in an Ethiopian teaching hospital: Prevalence and associated factors

Abstract

Background: Burnout is a psychological condition characterized by emotional and physical exhaustion, depersonalization, and low personal accomplishment. Workplace stress a precursor to burnout. Burnout negatively affects patient care and causes poor physician mental health. So far, the level of stress, burnout and associated factors among interns working in Ethiopia is not known.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 72 interns using a structured online survey. Burnout was assessed using Maslach Burnout Inventory and stress was evaluated using Perceived Stress Scale-10 questionnaires. Statistical package for social sciences version 23 was used for data analysis. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to determine associated factors. All variables with a p-value of < 0.05 in the multivariate regression model were considered to be statistically significant.

Results: High emotional exhaustion, high depersonalization, and highly reduced sense of personal accomplishment were seen in 69.4%, 41.7%, and 44.4% of participants respectively. High level of stress was seen in 37% of the participants. Logistic regression analysis showed that emotional exhaustion and depersonalization were independently associated with having plans to change profession, having financial worries and high perceived stress. Reduced personal accomplishment was associated with high perceived stress. High level of perceived stress was associated with having plans to change profession.

Conclusions: In conclusion, the levels of burnout and stress among interns were high. Increased perceived stress, having financial worries, and having plans to change profession were independently associated with burnout.