Abstract

Background: Emergency medicine (EM) is a high-stress specialty associated with burnout and sleep disturbances. Burnout is characterized by emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP), and reduced personal accomplishment, while sleep disturbances impair cognitive and physical performance. We aimed to assess the prevalence of sleep disturbances and their relationship with burnout among EM residents in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted over six months among 182 EM residents in Riyadh. Data were collected using an online survey, including demographic and professional information, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) for sleep assessment, and the Abbreviated Maslach Burnout Inventory for burnout evaluation. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 27.0. (Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.), with multiple linear regression exploring variable relationships.
Results: Most participants (57.7%; n=105) reported sleep problems, with 22.5% (n=41) experiencing severe sleep disturbances (PSQI score 15–21) and 19.8% demonstrating good sleep quality (n=36; PSQI score 0–6). The mean global PSQI score was 10.7 ± 4.3. Burnout prevalence was high, with 81.3% (n=148) exhibiting high EE scores and 66.5% high DP scores (n=121). DP significantly predicted poor sleep quality (R = 0.42, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.3–5.6; p = 0.001), while gender also showed a significant association (R = 0.16, 95% CI: 0.3–2.5; p = 0.01).
Conclusion: Sleep disturbances and burnout are highly prevalent among EM residents in Riyadh, with poor sleep quality significantly linked to higher DP levels. Targeted interventions are needed to improve residents’ well-being and prevent adverse outcomes.

Key words: sleep disturbance, burnout, PSQI, aMBI, Prevalence, Emergency medicine.