Determinants and Consequences of Stress and Burnout among Residents in Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana

Abstract

Background: Stress and burnout continue to negatively affect postgraduate medical trainees who have enrolled in various specialty and sub-specialty training programs globally. These two psychological phenomena have been shown to not only compromise work performance but also hinder the social lives of residents and by extension their families. However, not much is known about the determinants and consequences of burnout among residents in Ghana. This study aimed at examining the determinants and consequences of stress and burnout among residents in Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital to better understand the dynamics of these two phenomena in a Ghanaian setting. Methods: This was a facility-based analytical cross-sectional study conducted among residents in Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. A stratified random sampling technique was used to obtain study participants from each department. Participation was voluntary and only those who consented were included in the study. Stress, burnout, and mental well-being were assessed using the Workplace Stress Survey, Maslach Burnout Inventory– Human Services Survey and the Positive Mental Health Scale respectively. Analyses were done using univariate analysis, Chi square/Fisher’s exact test and multilinear regression models where appropriate. Results: The prevalence of stress among residents was 19.0% whereas 17.5% prevalence of burnout was observed in this study. 58.3% of participants reported having a good mental health status. Female sex, second year of training and working for more than 40 hours a week were statistically significant determinants of stress. Severe stress is associated with higher degrees of burnout. The key determinants of mental health were severe stress and higher degrees of burnout. Conclusion: Residents in Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital experience significant levels of stress and burnout as a result of which almost half of them do not have good mental health status. Postgraduate medical colleges and training centres should collaborate to periodically assess levels of stress and burnout, eliminate job stressors and implement well-being programmes for residents training in the hospital