Prevalence and Factors Associated with Burnout Syndrome among Resident Doctors at Tertiary Teaching Hospitals in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Abstract

Introduction: Burnout syndrome is prevalent to a great extent among medical residents, and this can interfere with their training and patient management. However, the extent of the problem is still unknown in our setting. This study therefore aimed at determining prevalence and factors associated with burnout syndrome among resident doctors at tertiary teaching hospitals in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Method: A cross-sectional study of resident doctors was carried out in four teaching hospitals of Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences between January 2021 and March 2021. Participants were interviewed using a structured questionnaire and Maslach Burnout Inventory. Results: The study had 398 participants with a mean age of 35 ± 3.5 years. Overall burnout prevalence was 33.7%, as for the burnout dimensions, 205 (51.5%) respondents reported burnout in the dimension of emotional exhaustion (EE), 177 (44.5%) in the dimension of depersonalization (D), and 144 (36.2%) in the dimension of reduced personal accomplishment (RPA). Independent factors associated with burnout syndrome were: inadequate support from residency program supervisors (Odds Ratio (OR) 1.97, 95% CI: 1.23 - 3.14, p = 0.005), work-related family conflicts (Odds Ratio (OR) 3.2, 95% CI: 1.35 - 7.71, p = 0.008), stressful call perception (Odds Ratio (OR) 3.31, 95% CI: 1.90 - 5.76, p = 0.001) and each added year of study (Odds Ratio (OR) 3.46, 95% CI: 1.08 - 6.73, p = 0.009). Conclusion: Burnout is a problem among resident doctors in Tanzania. This could be addressed by directing preventive and intervention measures in the residency training program. Periodic assessment is also needed to mitigate factors associated with burnout among resident doctors.