Abstract

VAN DER MERWE, Lynette J. et al. Medical registrars at the University of the Free State: Burnout, resilience and coping strategies. SAFP [online]. 2023, vol.65, n.1, pp.1-7. ISSN 2078-6204.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/safp.v65i1.5788.

BACKGROUND: Burnout among doctors has been linked with decreased quality of patient care. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic highlighted the need to protect doctors' mental health and well-being. This study aimed to investigate burnout, resilience and coping strategies among registrars in the MMed programme of the University of the Free State (UFS) in 2020 METHODS: In this quantitative, cross-sectional study, a link to an online anonymous self-administered questionnaire with socio-demographic questions, perceived stress, Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI), Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale and Brief Cope was emailed to all 278 registrars RESULTS: Sixty registrars responded (response rate 21.6%). More than half (55.0%) were male and 73.3% were married. There were 28.3% second- and third-year students, respectively. Most (58.3%) had 5-10 years' work experience. The CBI personal scale had the highest median value (58.3; interquartile range [IQR]: 43.3; 70.8) with 70% scoring ≥ 50. The median score for resilience was 78 of 100 (IQR: 69; 84). There were weak negative correlations between resilience and burnout scores (r = -0.31 to r = -0.37). Planning, positive reframing and acceptance were the most frequently used adaptive coping mechanisms; self-distraction was the most frequently used maladaptive coping mechanism. There was no association between gender and burnout and resilience scores CONCLUSION: Registrars were resilient with low levels of patient- and work-related burnout, and higher personal burnout, using mostly positive coping strategies CONTRIBUTION: This study gives insight into the well-being of registrars at the UFS during COVID-19. Continuous monitoring and support for this population are essential to foster mental health and well-being

Keywords : resilience; burnout; maladaptive coping strategies; adaptive coping strategies; postgraduate training; junior doctor; mental health.

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