Medical students? occupational burnout and its relationship with professionalism

Occupational burnout is a prevalent syndrome
among medical students as well as other health professionals. It
may be an important factor contributing to professional conducts.
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of burnout
among medical students of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences
at clinical level and its relationship with professionalism. In this cross-sectional study, all medical clinical
students who had spent a minimum of six months of the first
year of clinical level and who were in their final year, in 2015-16
were examined (using the census method). Data were gathered
using demographics, educational background, and the dimensions
of professionalism questionnaires and Maslach Job Burnout
Inventory. Data analysis was performed using descriptive
statistics, ANOVA and Pearson correlation test by SPSS, version
14. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. The total mean score of burnout was 61.37±20.44
(moderate). In this study, 54.3% of the students had low, 35.2%
moderate and 10.4% high job burnout. There was a negative
correlation between job burnout and professional ethics with
Pearson correlation test (p<0.000, r=0.23). There was no
significant relationship between the increase in academic years
and burnout. Regarding the high prevalence of burnout and its
adverse effects among medical students, developing a workplace
assistance program and adequate facilities to help them is necessary.
Also, due to the negative correlation between professionalism
and burnout, continuous training of professional ethics should be
taken into consideration by educational authorities