Burnout and resilience among resident doctors working at a COVID-19 nodal center in India

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 pandemic can lead to burnout among health workers. The study aimed to know the prevalence of burnout among resident doctors and its relation to resilience. Methodology: An online anonymous cross-sectional study was done at the sole COVID nodal center of Telangana, India, using a three-part questionnaire E-mailed to all the resident doctors. It included a consent form, sociodemographic data, the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory to measure burnout, and the Brief Resilience Coping Scale to measure resilience. Data were analyzed using SPSS statistical software version 22.0 (IBM). P value was considered statistically significant below 0.05 and all tests were two-tailed. Results: Personal burnout (53.6%) was highest followed by work-related burnout (46.4%) and client-related burnout (40.8%). All three domains of burnout showed a significant negative correlation with scores of resilience (personal burnout [r = -0.240), work burnout (r = -0.203), and client burnout [r = -0.212]; P ≤ 0.001). Conclusion: Client-related burnout has increased when compared to nonpandemic times. Burnout was inversely associated with resilience, suggesting a role for resilience as a protective factor.