E Hannan1,2, N Breslin3, E Doherty4, M McGreal4, D Moneley4,3, G Offiah4,3. 1. The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 123 St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2, Republic of Ireland. endahannan@rcsi.ie. 2. Dublin North East / RCSI Intern Training Network, Beaumont Hospital, Beaumont Road, Beaumont, Dublin 9, Republic of Ireland. endahannan@rcsi.ie. 3. Dublin North East / RCSI Intern Training Network, Beaumont Hospital, Beaumont Road, Beaumont, Dublin 9, Republic of Ireland. 4. The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 123 St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2, Republic of Ireland.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The transition from medical school to internship can be daunting for newly qualified doctors. High rates of stress and burnout have been reported, with negative impacts on patient care and physician wellbeing. AIMS: We surveyed interns in our hospital group to evaluate rates of stress and burnout, as well as identify the causative factors and propose potential solutions to these. METHODS: A hundred and one interns working in four different hospitals over a 2-year period were invited to participate in an anonymous survey. The survey collected basic demographic details and surveyed aspects of mental health using the burnout scale, Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and the stress scale and 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). Interns were also asked to rate a variety of workplace factors on a Likert scale based on the degree of stress caused. Finally, they were surveyed on their awareness of support services available to them. RESULTS: Our results showed that 37% of interns met the criteria for psychological distress, high levels of emotional exhaustion, high depersonalisation and a low sense of personal accomplishment were reported in 55.4, 51.5 and 41.6%, respectively. Inadequate preparation for practice, financial worries, poor role definition and sleep deprivation were reported as significant stressors. Most were unaware of available support services and expressed interest in leaving Ireland after internship. CONCLUSIONS: Burnout and stress are significant problems amongst doctors in Irish hospitals. Ensuring better preparation for clinical practice and awareness of support services is vital to tackle this issue.
BACKGROUND: The transition from medical school to internship can be daunting for newly qualified doctors. High rates of stress and burnout have been reported, with negative impacts on patient care and physician wellbeing. AIMS: We surveyed interns in our hospital group to evaluate rates of stress and burnout, as well as identify the causative factors and propose potential solutions to these. METHODS: A hundred and one interns working in four different hospitals over a 2-year period were invited to participate in an anonymous survey. The survey collected basic demographic details and surveyed aspects of mental health using the burnout scale, Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and the stress scale and 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). Interns were also asked to rate a variety of workplace factors on a Likert scale based on the degree of stress caused. Finally, they were surveyed on their awareness of support services available to them. RESULTS: Our results showed that 37% of interns met the criteria for psychological distress, high levels of emotional exhaustion, high depersonalisation and a low sense of personal accomplishment were reported in 55.4, 51.5 and 41.6%, respectively. Inadequate preparation for practice, financial worries, poor role definition and sleep deprivation were reported as significant stressors. Most were unaware of available support services and expressed interest in leaving Ireland after internship. CONCLUSIONS: Burnout and stress are significant problems amongst doctors in Irish hospitals. Ensuring better preparation for clinical practice and awareness of support services is vital to tackle this issue.
Authors: Tait D Shanafelt; Sonja Boone; Litjen Tan; Lotte N Dyrbye; Wayne Sotile; Daniel Satele; Colin P West; Jeff Sloan; Michael R Oreskovich Journal: Arch Intern Med Date: 2012-10-08
Authors: Magnus Akerstrom; Linda Corin; Jonathan Severin; Ingibjörg H Jonsdottir; Lisa Björk Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-02-16 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Alexandra Foley; Feargal Donaghy; Gerard A Sheridan; Ciarán Stanley; Ann-Maria Byrne; Arnold D K Hill; Hannan Mullett Journal: Ir J Med Sci Date: 2021-02-08 Impact factor: 1.568
Authors: Patricia Gray; Sipho Senabe; Nisha Naicker; Spo Kgalamono; Annalee Yassi; Jerry M Spiegel Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2019-11-11 Impact factor: 3.390