A Web-Based Assessment on Burnout and Related Responsible Factors Among Plastic surgeons and Trainees in Sindh

Background: Burnout syndrome is a combination of diminishing work (emotional exhaustion), considering people as objects (depersonalization), and lack of sense of meaningfulness in work (low personal accomplishment). Pakistani consultants and particularly plastic surgeons are ignored entirely in this regard. The aim of this study was to determine the burnout burden and related responsible factors for burnout among plastic surgeons and trainees in Sindh.

Methodology: A web-based cross-sectional study was conducted to assess burnout among plastic surgeons in different hospitals in Hyderabad, Karachi and Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan using Google forms from July to December 2022. All the certified plastic surgeons, trainees registered for more than 6 months in plastic surgery, belonging to any age or gender, and working in private or public sector hospitals were included. A self-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect data while the Maslach Burnout Inventory was used to measure burnout.

Results: Varying degrees of burnout were reported by 89(49.4%) post-graduate trainee students and plastic surgeons. Out of total burnout cases, 51(57.3%) had a high burnout rate. Sleep hours, marital status and workout activity or exercise were significantly associated with emotional exhaustion (P < 0.05) while age, designation, smoking, sleep hours and physical activity were significantly associated with depersonalization.

Conclusion: The study concludes that the burnout rate among plastic surgeons and trainees in plastic surgery is significantly higher. Age, sleeping hours, marital status, workout activity, designation, and smoking, are significantly associated with burnout rate.

Keywords: Burnout, Mental health, Plastic surgeon

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