Burnout, depression and job satisfaction in obstetrics and gynecology residents

This study among ObGyn residents was designed to determine the relationship of burnout to job satisfaction, depression, and self-care activities.

The link to a 64-item, anonymous, self-administered online survey was distributed to obstetrics and gynecology residents at six obstetric and gynecologic residency programs in the greater Hartford Connecticut region. We used the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey to assess job burnout, the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale to identify depression, and we incorporated questions regarding job satisfaction and self care activities.

Of the surveyed residents, 13% satisfied all three subscale scores for high burnout and > 50% have high levels of depersonalization and emotional exhaustion. Residents with high levels of emotional exhaustion were less satisfied with their careers (P = 0.001), regretted choosing ObGyn (P < 0.001), and had higher rates of depression (P < 0.001). A high level of depersonalization was inversely correlated to job satisfaction and personal accomplishment, and strongly correlated to depression. A high level of personal accomplishment was strongly correlated with job satisfaction and satisfaction with the specialty but was inversely correlated with a sense of depersonalization. There was no correlation between burnout and self-care activities.

Burnout is strongly correlated with depression and inversely correlated with job satisfaction. Burnout and depression were highly prevalent among ObGyn residents. Decreasing stressors and assuring motivated, committed, and supportive educators may prove to be helpful in the enhancement of resident job satisfaction.