ASSESSMENT OF BURNOUT DUE TO SHIFT LOAD AND ITS IMPACT ON PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING OF YOUNG DOCTORS IN RAWALPINDI. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71000/5m1trk39Keywords:
Burnout, Emotional Exhaustion, Depersonalization, Personal Accomplishment, Psychological Well-being, Shift Work, PakistanAbstract
Background: Burnout is a chronic occupational stress syndrome characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment. It is increasingly recognized among healthcare professionals worldwide and is linked to diminished well-being, medical errors, and workforce attrition. In Pakistan, the healthcare system’s heavy workloads, extended shifts, and limited institutional support heighten the risk of burnout, particularly among young doctors at the beginning of their careers.
Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of burnout and its association with shift workload and psychological well-being among young doctors in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from March to May 2025 among 400 doctors aged 25–35 years working in public and private hospitals. Data were collected using a self-structured questionnaire based on the Maslach model of burnout, assessing Emotional Exhaustion (EE), Depersonalization (DP), and Personal Accomplishment (PA), along with the WHO-5 Well-Being Index. Statistical analysis was performed in SPSS version 27 using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression.
Results: High burnout levels were found in 59.0% for EE, 58.8% for DP, and 69.3% showed low PA. Poor well-being (WHO-5 score <50) was observed in 65.3% of respondents. Burnout differed significantly by shift length (p < 0.001), whereas shift pattern showed no significant association. Correlation analysis revealed a weak but significant negative relationship between EE and well-being (r = 0.113, p = 0.023). Regression analysis demonstrated that burnout dimensions collectively explained only 1.1% of the variance in well-being (R² = 0.011, p = 0.210).
Conclusion: Burnout is highly prevalent among young doctors in Rawalpindi, with longer working hours strongly associated with increased burnout. Although burnout adversely affects well-being, other organizational and psychosocial determinants also contribute. Comprehensive institutional interventions focusing on shift regulation, mental health promotion, and emotional resilience are essential to protect the psychological health and efficiency of the medical workforce.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Mushda Jamal, Akash Kumar, Muneeba Zubair, Komal Jahanzeb, Warda Nasir, Noureen Kanwal, Hamza Malik Khattak, Syed Jawad Ali Bukhari (Author)
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