Factors associated With burnout among French digestive surgeons in training: results of a national survey on 328 residents and fellows

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjsurg.2016.08.003Get rights and content

Highlights

  • This study showed a high rate of burnout syndrome in digestive surgeons in training.

  • This study showed a worrying rate of suicide ideation.

  • The implementation of prevention strategies seems indispensable.

Abstract

Background

Digestive surgery training is notoriously difficult and medical students choose this path less and less often leading to a veritable demographic crisis for this specialty in France.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the working conditions to measure the prevalence of burnout syndrome (BOS) and to identify potential risk factors to implement preventive measures and appropriate support.

Methods

This was a multicenter, cross-sectional study. An anonymous questionnaire was sent by e-mail to 500 French digestive surgeons in training (residents and fellows).

Results

The response rate was 65.6%. The mean working week was 75.7 hours (±12) and the mean number of night shifts was 5.3 (±1.6)/month.

Sixty-seven percent of respondents had trouble sleeping and 12% reported suicidal thoughts. High-emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment low scores were observed respectively in 24.7%, 44.6%, and 47%, corresponding to a high score of BOS in 52%.

Conclusions

This study showed a high rate of BOS in French digestive surgeons in training and a worrying rate of suicide ideation.

Section snippets

Methods

This was a multicenter, cross-sectional study. Between April and June 2013, an anonymous questionnaire was sent by e-mail to 500 French digestive surgeons in training (residents and fellows).

The first part of the questionnaire included professional sociodemographic variables (working conditions and training) and issues related to health. The second part corresponded to the French version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory.

The study was approved by the local medical ethics committee.

Sociodemographic characteristics

Three hundred twenty-eight questionnaires were collected out of a total of 500 sent; a response rate of 65.6%. Demographic characteristics and responses relating to health are summarized in Table 1 and Fig. 1.

Our population consisted of 207 residents (70%) and 89 fellows (30%).

The mean age was 29.5 ± 2.7 years (residents: 28.3 years [±2.03]; fellows: 32.2 years [±2.03]). The male or female sex ratio was 1.35 and did not vary according to age (P = .53).

Of all, 27.8% of respondents were single (n

Comments

This cross-sectional study of a population of digestive surgeons in training showed a high level of EE and DP in 24.7% and 44.6% of the cases, respectively, whereas a low level of PA was found in 47% of the cases.

These rates were higher than those reported in other French national surveys of doctors in training or practice (Table 5).

Although few data exist on the incidence of burnout among surgeons in France, several studies from abroad are available.

In 2001, Campbell reported the results of a

Conclusions

This study showed a high rate of BOS in French digestive surgeons in training and a worrisome rate of suicide ideation.

We demonstrated a relationship between a lack of social (patients), professional (seniors), and material gratitude and the occurrence of BOS. Conversely, practicing a leisure activity appeared to be a protective factor.

The implementation of prevention strategies and screening for BOS, a better organization of work and training as well as rewarding of their status seems

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    There were no relevant financial relationships or any sources of support in the form of grants, equipment, or drugs.

    The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

    Bridoux V, Chati R designed the research; Chati R performed the research; Grimberg L, Schwarz L, Huet E and Chati R analyzed the data; Bridoux V and Tuech JJ wrote the article.

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