Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of burnout among residents in King Saud University Medical City (KSUMC), KSA, identify the factors contributing to burnout, and propose targeted interventions to reduce burnout prevalence.
Methods: A cross-sectional single-centre study was conducted among 117 residents enrolled in KSUMC residency programs. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire and the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey for Medical Personnel.
Results: The study revealed significant associations between burnout categories and various factors. Female residents exhibited higher rates of emotional exhaustion (EE) and lower personal achievement (PA) compared to males (EE: 72.7% vs. 40.3%, PA: 81.8% vs. 45.2%). Specialty-wise, depersonalization (DP) was notably higher in emergency medicine (68%) and surgical specialties. Junior residents (R1 and R2) experienced higher PA
burnout compared to senior residents (R4 and R5). Workload factors, such as working hours per week and number of on-calls per month, showed trends towards increased burnout risk.
Conclusion: Burnout among residents in KSUMC, Saudi Arabia, was influenced by gender, specialty, training level, and workload factors. Targeted interventions addressing these factors and promoting a supportive work environment are essential to mitigate burnout risks and enhance residents’ well-being.

Key words: Burnout, residents, Maslach Burnout Inventory, prevalence, Saudi Arabia.