Burnout and Symptoms of Depression during COVID-19 Pandemic in Latvian Medical Residents

  • Aļona Počopko (Speaker)
  • Boriss Butorins (Co-author)
  • Vrubļevska, J. (Co-author)

Activity: Talk or presentation types › Oral presentation

Description

Burnout and depression are major reasons why medical specialists are leaving their jobs. Medical residents are one of the most vulnerable groups, due to the lack of experience and insufficient supporting systems. Aim of this study was to investigate depression symptoms and burnout in residents of Latvia and evaluate their connection to COVID-19 related factors.. Residents from Latvia were asked to complete an online self-report questionnaire, which included demographic data, questions about residency and COVID-19, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Maslach burnout inventory. Data were collected during april-november 2022. Descriptive statistics and non-parametric statistical analysis method was used.. 142 residents participated in the study, 80.3% (N=114) were females. Mean age was 29.4 years (SD=4.5). More than a half (57.7%, N=82) reported high emotional exhaustion, 43.7% (N=62) high depersonalisation and 62% (N=88) low personal accomplishment rate; 59.2% (N=84) noted an increase in the amount of work. Significant depression symptoms (PHQ ≥ 10 points) were reported by 33.8% (N=48). Clinical depression symptoms were statistically significantly connected with all three burnout scales: emotional exhaustion (U=905.0, p=0.000), depersonalisation (U=1179.5 p=0.000) and low personal accomplishment rate (U=1689.5 p=0.005). Data showed statistically significant association between depression symptoms and decreased subjective satisfaction with life (U=1072.5 p=0.000), decreased subjective health state evaluation (U=1274.5 p=0.000), subjective negative impact of pandemic on mental health (U=1839.5 p=0.043), increased amount of work (U=1793.0, p=0.021).. One third of participants reported clinically significant depression symptoms, and more than a half of residents reported high burnout rate. Some of the COVID-19 pandemic related factors were significantly connected with depression symptoms. Consistent and more available supporting systems for medical residents are needed.
Period29 Mar 2023
Event titleRSU International Research Conference 2023: Knowledge for Use in Practice
Event typeConference
OrganiserRīga Stradiņš University
LocationRiga, LatviaShow on map
Degree of RecognitionInternational

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