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OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT03668080

Burnout Syndrome Among Medical Residents

Whether and to what extent burnout risk is actually higher in surgical specialties than in non-surgical specialties is still unknown. Little is also known about what factors are associated with burnout between surgical residents and non-surgical residents. In this context, the present study has a three-fold aim: 1) to measure the prevalence of burnout among a sample of Italian medical residents; 2) to contrast the prevalence of burnout and psychological distress in surgical residents and non-surgical residents, and 3) to identify the work-related factors associated with burnout between surgical residents and non-surgical residents.

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Key information

Conditions

Burnout Syndrome Behavior Behavioral Symptoms Burnout, Psychological Stress, Psychological

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

University of Bologna

Bologna, BO, 40100, Italy

About this study

Surgical training is considered to be very stressful among residents and graduating medical students choose less often surgery for their career. To elaborate burnout prevention programs, the assessment of the prevalence of burnout during the early career stage of the surgeons and associated risk factors, becomes central.

Residents from the University of Bologna were asked to participate in an anonymous online survey. The residents completed a set of questions regarding their training schedule and three standardized questionnaires: 1) the Maslach Burnout Inventory, assessing the three dimensions of burnout: emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP), and personal accomplishment (PA); 2) the Zung Self-Rating Depression scale; 3) the Psychosomatic Problems scale. High scores in either the EE or DP subscale categories predicted professional burnout.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • residents attending the University of Bologna

Exclusion criteria

  • none

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

  1. Maslach Burnout Inventory

    Time frame: 3 months

    a validated 22-item questionnaire that evaluates burnout in its three dimensions: emotional exhaustion (EE) depersonalization (DP) and personal accomplishment (PA). Responses are made on a 7-point Likert scale ranging from 0 ("never") to 6 ("daily").

Secondary outcomes

  1. Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale

    Time frame: 3 months

    The level of depressive symptoms was measured using the 20-item Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale. Items responses rank from 1 ("none or little of the time") to 4 ("most or all of the time"), and the total score range from 20 to 80 points. A score of 50 and above indicated the presence of at least mild-moderate depressive symptoms.

  2. Psychosomatic Problems Scale

    Time frame: 3 months

    Psychosomatic symptoms were measured using the Psychosomatic Problems Scale, which consists of 8 items: difficulty concentrating, sleep problems, headache, stomachache, tensions, lack of appetite, feeling sad, and dizziness. Responses are rated on a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 ("never") to 5 ("always"). Participants answering "often" or "always" on an item are coded as having a psychosomatic symptom.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2017
Primary completion
2017
Study completion
2017
First posted
Sep 12, 2018
Registry last updated
Sep 12, 2018

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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