Abstract
This study investigated the prevalence and determinants of Burnout Syndrome and Depressive
Symptoms among medical students in Oman. Then, it explored whether the three-dimensional
aspects of Burnout Syndrome (High Emotional Exhaustion, High Cynicism and Low Academic
Efficacy) would predict the presence of Depressive Symptoms in a logistic regression model. A
cross-sectional study was conducted among a random sample of medical students of Sultan
Qaboos University. 662 students participated in the study with a response rate of 98%. The
prevalence of Burnout Syndrome and Depressive Symptoms were; 7.4% and 24.5% respectively.
Preclinical students reported high levels of both Burnout Syndrome (Odds Ratio–OR 2.83, 95%
Confidence Interval CI 1.45–5.54) and Depressive Symptoms (OR 2. 72, 95% CI 1.07–6.89). The three dimensional
aspects of Burnout Syndrome(High Emotional Exhaustion, High Cynicism, low
Professional efficacy) were statistically significant predictors of the presence of Depressive
Symptoms; OR 3.52 (95% CI: 2.21–5.60), OR 3.33 (95% CI:2.10–5.28) and OR 2.07(95%CI:1.32–3.24)
respectively. This study indicates that Burnout Syndrome and Depressive Symptoms are common
among medical students, particularly in preclinical grade. Furthermore, the presence of high
occupational burnout elevates the risk of depression.
Symptoms among medical students in Oman. Then, it explored whether the three-dimensional
aspects of Burnout Syndrome (High Emotional Exhaustion, High Cynicism and Low Academic
Efficacy) would predict the presence of Depressive Symptoms in a logistic regression model. A
cross-sectional study was conducted among a random sample of medical students of Sultan
Qaboos University. 662 students participated in the study with a response rate of 98%. The
prevalence of Burnout Syndrome and Depressive Symptoms were; 7.4% and 24.5% respectively.
Preclinical students reported high levels of both Burnout Syndrome (Odds Ratio–OR 2.83, 95%
Confidence Interval CI 1.45–5.54) and Depressive Symptoms (OR 2. 72, 95% CI 1.07–6.89). The three dimensional
aspects of Burnout Syndrome(High Emotional Exhaustion, High Cynicism, low
Professional efficacy) were statistically significant predictors of the presence of Depressive
Symptoms; OR 3.52 (95% CI: 2.21–5.60), OR 3.33 (95% CI:2.10–5.28) and OR 2.07(95%CI:1.32–3.24)
respectively. This study indicates that Burnout Syndrome and Depressive Symptoms are common
among medical students, particularly in preclinical grade. Furthermore, the presence of high
occupational burnout elevates the risk of depression.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Archives of Environmental and Occupational Health |
| Publication status | Published - Dec 1 2017 |
Keywords
- Burnout syndrome; depressive symptoms; Maslach Burnout Inventory; Patient Healthcare Questionnaire (PHQ-9); medical students; Oman