Association between burnout and physiological-psychological-social health domains among Chinese resident physicians: a network analysis approach

Abstract

Background: Burnout affects the physical and mental health of residents. This study aims to investigate the association between burnout and health across biological, psychological, and social domains among Chinese residents. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2022 to June 2024 at Peking Union Medical College Hospital in China. A total of 274 resident physicians were recruited, with 207 providing valid responses. Burnout was assessed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS), while general health was measured using the Union Physio-Psycho-Social Assessment Questionnaire (UPPSAQ-70). Self-efficacy and subjective incompetence were also evaluated. Network analysis was applied to identify the centrality of various health factors in relation to burnout. Results: The overall prevalence of burnout was 74.4% (95% CI: 68.5-79.9%). Emotional exhaustion and depersonalization were significantly higher in male physicians compared to females, while younger physicians (aged ≤ 30 years) reported higher burnout in personal achievement. Network analysis identified strong connections between burnout dimensions (emotional exhaustion and depersonalization) and mental health symptoms such as anxiety, fatigue, and depression. Sleep, anxiety, and self-efficacy were found to be central nodes in the network, indicating their crucial role in resident physicians’ well-being. Conclusions: This study found a high prevalence of burnout among resident physicians, with significant links between burnout and mental health conditions. Anxiety and fatigue emerge as core symptoms in the burnout network, suggesting that interventions should address these factors. Additionally, self-efficacy plays a crucial role in burnout.