Burnout and Learning-Climate Among General Surgery Residents in Rabat.

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate burnout rates and the impact of the learning climate on general surgery residents in Rabat, Morocco. Methods: Between September and November 2015, all general surgery residents in the Mohammed the Vth University in Rabat were contacted to participate in the study via an online questionnaire. The online questionnaire included four sections. The first one assessed demographics and professional activity. The second section included 8 satisfaction questions, using a five point Likert scale. The third section assessed burnout using the validated Maslash Burnout inventory. The fourth section assessed the learning climate using the Dutch Residents Educational Climate Test (D-RECT). Factors associated to burnout were analyzed using adequate statistical methodology. Results: Among 32 residents contacted by mail, 24 (75%) volunteered to respond to the questionnaire. The mean age was 30.9 years. Fourteen residents (58.3%) had a burnout. Residents with burnout had significantly lower rates of leisure activity (28.5% vs. 100%. p=0.01). Concerning satisfaction questions, residents with burnout had significantly lower rates of satisfaction with their work-life balance (0% vs. 50. p=0.006), global quality of life (7.1% vs. 60%. p=0.009), health (7.1% vs. 90%). They also had lower rates of satisfaction with the work environment (7.1% vs. 50%. p=0.05). The mean global D-RECT score was lower in the burnout residents (2.73 vs. 3.12. p=0.08). Except for the domain “Peer collaboration”, the mean scores for the other domains were lower among the burnout residents group. However, the difference was significant only for the “Team work” domain (2.51 vs. 3.50. p=0.02). Conclusion: This study highlights the importance and consequences of burnout among general surgery residents and its strong relationship with the learning climate. Using objective assessment tools such as the D-RECT score may be helpful to identify work related factors associated to burnout and develop and monitor effective strategies for improvement.