Burnout and Preventive Recommendations among Obstetrics and Gynecology Residents and Fellows in Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital: A Mixed-Methods Study
Wiyada Luangdansakul, MD¹, Buppa Smanchat, MD¹, Kornkarn Bhamarapravatana, PhD², Komsun Suwannarurk, MD³
Affiliation : ¹ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital, Royal Thai Air Force, Bangkok, Thailand; ² Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathumthani, Thailand; ³ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathumthani, Thailand
Background: Burnout syndrome (BS) is a condition resulting from continuous professional stress. Burnout has many symptoms that combine to affect physicians and other healthcare professionals with low-quality work or even an inability to continue working.
Objective: To assess the prevalence of BS and contributing factors.
Materials and Methods: The present study was a mixed-method study, with surveys and semi-structured individual interviews. It was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB-GYN), Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital, Royal Thai Air Force, Bangkok, Thailand between March 2022 and February 2023. Participants were recruited from physicians attending the residency and fellowship programs in OB-GYN. Participants were instructed to fill out the self-administered and structured interview questionnaires. The questionnaires consisted of demographic data and the Thai version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS), consisting of three dimensions: emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP), and personal accomplishment (PA).
Results: Nineteen participants were recruited. Prevalence of BS was 63.2% (12 out of 19). High EE, high DP, and low PA were 57.9% (11 out of 19), 15.8% (3 out of 19), and 47.4% (9 out of 19), respectively. BS-associated factors were age, early years of training, graduation from the five oldest medical schools, delayed first payment, few years of practice, satisfaction in the medical profession, work hours, fewer sleep hours, high patient load, and examinations. Factors contributing to BS from the interview were high workload, education, seniority, hospital rules, peer relationships, internship to residency transition, and family.
Conclusion: The prevalence of BS was 63.2%. BS prevention recommendations included avoiding of high workload, both during and outside of official working hours, younger and less experienced trainees, delayed income payment, and inadequate rest.
Received 4 July 2025 | Revised 14 December 2025 | Accepted 15 December 2025
DOI: 10.35755/jmedassocthai.2026.2.03249
Keywords : Burnout; Obstetrics and gynecology; Residency and fellowship
