INVESTIGATING BURNOUT AMONG POSTGRADUATE RESIDENTS OF DIFFERENT SPECIALTIES IN PAKISTAN: A MULTIFACETED PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

Burnout leads to significant detrimental outcomes on both healthcare professionals and patient care, including increased medical errors, reduced job satisfaction and higher rates of depression and substance use. This cross-sectional study assesses the prevalence and determinants of burnout among postgraduate residents across Pakistan's private and public hospitals. Using the Burnout Assessment Tool (BAT), 335 residents (58.2% male, 41.8% female, mean age 27.8±5.2 years) were evaluated. Results revealed 32.2% exhibited to have very high risk of burnout, 30.1% were at risk, and 37.6% showed no signs of burnout. Public sector hospitals showed significantly higher burnout rates compared to private institutions. Specialty-specific analysis indicated that internal medicine residents were most affected, followed by surgery, while gynecology, ENT, and psychiatry residents also showed elevated risk. Key determinants of burnout included excessive  workload (OR 1.92), poor work-life balance (OR 1.82), inadequate supervisor support (OR 3.41), and lack of colleague support (OR 4.41). Financial instability and insufficient health benefits further exacerbated burnout risk. Residents identified workload management, fair compensation, and institutional support as critical interventions to mitigate burnout. These findings underscore the urgent need for systemic reforms in medical training programs, including structured mentorship, reasonable duty-hour regulations, and enhanced well-being initiatives. Addressing burnout is essential not only for resident health but also for sustaining high-quality patient care in Pakistan’s healthcare system.