Burnout and its relationship with perceived stress, self-efficacy, depression, social support, and programmatic factors in general surgery residents

Background: Burnout affects surgical residents’ well-being. Objective: We sought to identify factors associated with burnout among surgery residents. Methods: An electronic/anonymous survey was sent to surgical residents at 18 programs, consisting of demographic/programmatic questions and validated scales for burnout, depression, perceived stress, self-efficacy, and social support. Residents were grouped into quartiles based off burnout, and predictors were assessed using univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: 42% of residents surveyed completed it. Burnout was associated with depression, higher perceived stress/debt, fewer weekends off, less programmatic social events, and residents were less likely to reconsider surgery if given the chance. Low burnout was associated with lower depression/stress, higher social support/self-efficacy, more weekends off per month, program mentorship, lower debt, and residents being more likely to choose surgery again if given the chance. On multivariate analysis, higher depression/perceived stress were associated with burnout, and lower burnout scores were associated with lower stress/higher self-efficacy. Conclusions: Burnout in surgery residents is associated with higher levels of depression and perceived stress. The addition of programmatic social events, limiting weekend work, and formal mentoring programs may decrease burnout.