Background: For modification of residency programs, improvement of the quality of service to patients and increase in clinical capacity of residents, it is necessary to investigate effective job-related factors. The purpose of this study was to assess job burnout, job satisfaction and fatigue among internal medicine residents of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences.
Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive analytical study in 2014, internal medicine residents were randomly included. For the survey, a questionnaire comprised of four sections including demographic features, job satisfaction, burnout (using the Maslach Burnout Inventory) and fatigue (Epworth sleepiness scale) was used
Results: Twenty-one residents (62% men) responded to questions. Mean age of respondents was 33.7 ± 3.4 years. Job satisfaction in most items was below average. In total, 71.4% of respondents suffered severe burnout and 23.8% of respondents had moderate burnout. There were inverse significant relationships between some aspects of burnout and job satisfaction. Mean fatigue score based on Epworth sleepiness scale was 10.8 ± 4.7. Five respondents (23.8%) reported severe fatigue. A significant correlation was found between the number of monthly shifts (workload) and the level of fatigue (P = 0.048, r = 0.430). Respondents who had more severe burnout were those who wroked higher number of monthly shifts, although no significant correlation between these two variables (number of shifts and burnout) could not be found (P = 0.112).
Conclusion: It seems necessary that in order to improve the quality of education, increase job satisfaction and reduce burnout among internal medicine residents, revision of curriculum (including balancing of night shifts, enhancement of teamwork among residents of different years, etc.) should be taken into account.