Brazilian Journal of Anesthesiology
https://bjan-sba.org/article/doi/10.1016/j.bjane.2026.844771
Brazilian Journal of Anesthesiology
Original Investigation

Prevalence and factors associated with burnout syndrome among anesthesiology residents in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil: a multicenter cross-sectional study

Prevalência e fatores associados à síndrome de burnout entre residentes de anestesiologia no Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil: um estudo transversal multicêntrico

Airton Bagatini, Felipe de Sousa Junqueira, Eduarda Druck Magadan, Silvia Ramos Hecktheuer, Regis Borges Aquino, Florentino Fernandes Mendes, Eduardo Francisco Mafassioli Corrêa, Cleiton da Silva Pando, Daniela Benzano Bumaguin, Cassiana Gil Prates

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bjane.2026.844771 Braz J Anesthesiol, vol.76, n4, 844771, 2026
PDF
Downloads: 0
Views: 1

Abstract

Background

Burnout syndrome is characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and low personal accomplishment. Anesthesiology residents are particularly vulnerable due to prolonged working hours, cognitive overload, and exposure to stressful clinical situations. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of burnout and explore associated occupational and psychosocial factors among anesthesiology residents in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

Methods

This multicenter cross-sectional study included residents from 6 training centers accredited by the Brazilian Society of Anesthesiology. Data were collected using an anonymous online questionnaire and the Portuguese-validated Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS). Burnout was defined by high emotional exhaustion (≥ 25), high depersonalization (≥ 10), and low personal accomplishment (≤ 32). Associations were analyzed using Fisher’s exact test (p < 0.05).

Results

Ninety-two residents participated (response rate, 84.4%). The overall prevalence of burnout was 26.1% (95% CI 17.5%–36.3%). High emotional exhaustion occurred in 72.8%, depersonalization in 42.4%, and low personal accomplishment in 43.5%. Burnout was significantly associated with living alone (p = 0.036) and psychotropic medication use (p = 0.017). A weekly workload of 60 hours or more (p = 0.068) was not significantly associated with burnout. Female residents showed higher emotional exhaustion (p = 0.039).

Conclusion

Burnout prevalence among anesthesiology residents in Rio Grande do Sul was high, predominantly characterized by emotional exhaustion. Institutional strategies focusing on psychosocial support, workload management, and mental health promotion may improve residents’ well-being and professional performance.

Keywords

Anesthesiology; Burnout; Education; Graduate; Internship and Residency; Medical; Mental Health; Occupational Stress; Professional 

Resumo

Introdução

A síndrome de burnout é caracterizada por exaustão emocional, despersonalização e baixa realização pessoal. Os residentes de anestesiologia são particularmente vulneráveis devido às longas jornadas de trabalho, sobrecarga cognitiva e exposição a situações clínicas estressantes. Este estudo teve como objetivo estimar a prevalência de burnout e explorar os fatores ocupacionais e psicossociais associados entre residentes de anestesiologia no Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil.

Métodos

Este estudo transversal multicêntrico incluiu residentes de seis centros de treinamento credenciados pela Sociedade Brasileira de Anestesiologia. Os dados foram coletados por meio de um questionário on-line anônimo e do Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS) validado para o português. O burnout foi definido por alta exaustão emocional (≥ 25), alta despersonalização (≥ 10) e baixa realização pessoal (≤ 32). As associações foram analisadas pelo teste exato de Fisher (p < 0,05).

Resultados

Noventa e dois residentes participaram (taxa de resposta de 84,4%). A prevalência geral de burnout foi de 26,1% (IC 95% 17,5%–36,3%). Alta exaustão emocional ocorreu em 72,8%, despersonalização em 42,4% e baixa realização pessoal em 43,5%. O burnout foi significativamente associado ao fato de morar sozinho (p = 0,036) e ao uso de medicamentos psicotrópicos (p = 0,017). Uma carga horária semanal de 60 horas ou mais (p = 0,068) não foi significativamente associada ao burnout. As residentes do sexo feminino apresentaram maior exaustão emocional (p = 0,039).

Conclusão

A prevalência de burnout entre os residentes de anestesiologia no Rio Grande do Sul foi alta, caracterizada predominantemente por exaustão emocional. Estratégias institucionais com foco no apoio psicossocial, gestão da carga horária e promoção da saúde mental podem melhorar o bem-estar e o desempenho profissional dos residentes.

Palavras-chave

Anestesiologia; Burnout profissional; Internato e residência; Estresse ocupacional; Saúde mental; Educação médica de pós-graduação

References

1. Freudenberger HJ. Staff burn-out. J Soc Issues. 1974;30:159−65.

2. Maslach C, Jackson SE. The measurement of experienced burnout. J Organ Behav. 1981;2:99−113.

3. Maslach C, Schaufeli WB, Leiter MP. Job burnout. Annu Rev Psychol. 2001;52:397−422.

4. World Health Organization. Burn-out an “occupational phenomenon”: International Classification of Diseases [Internet] [cited 2025 Dec 16]. Available from https://www.who.int/news/item/28-05-2019-burn-out-an-occupational-phenomenon-international-classification-of-diseases; 2019.

5. Rotenstein LS, Torre M, Ramos MA, et al. Prevalence of burnout among physicians: a systematic review. JAMA. 2018;320:1131 −50.

6. Panagioti M, Panagopoulou E, Bower P, et al. Controlled interventions to reduce burnout in physicians: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Intern Med. 2017;177:195−205.

7. Dzau VJ, Kirch D, Nasca T. Preventing a parallel pandemic ‒ A national strategy to protect clinicians’ well-being. N Engl J Med. 2020;383:513−5.

8. Patel RS, Bachu R, Adikey A, Malik M, Shah M. Factors related to physician burnout and its consequences: a review. Behav Sci (Basel). 2018;8:98.

9. Sun H, Warner DO, Macario A, Zhou Y, Culley DJ, Keegan MT. Repeated cross-sectional surveys of burnout, distress, and depression among anesthesiology residents and first-year graduates. Anesthesiology. 2019;131:668−77.

10. De Hert S. Burnout in healthcare workers: prevalence, impact and preventative strategies. Local Reg Anesth. 2020;13: 171−83.

11. Bagatini A, Bumaguin DB, Bagatini LZ, Ardais AP. The relationship between burnout syndrome and emotional intelligence in anesthesiologists during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study. J Patient Saf Risk Manag. 2025;30:149−56.

12. Dyrbye LN, Shanafelt TD, Sinsky CA, et al. Burnout among health care professionals: a call to explore and address this underrecognized threat to safe, high-quality care. NAM Perspect. 2017;2017.

13. Eckleberry-Hunt J, Kirkpatrick H, Barbera T. The problems with burnout research. Acad Med. 2018;93:367−70.

14. Tironi MOS, Teles JMM, Barros DDS, et al. Prevalence of burnout syndrome in intensivist doctors in five Brazilian capitals. Rev Bras Ter Intensiva. 2016;28:270−7.

15. Mesquita V, Malagris L. Burnout syndrome in multiprofessional health residents of a university hospital. Rev SBPH. 2020;23: 65−76.

16. Tamayo MR, Troccoli BT. Construction and factorial validation of the Burnout Characterization Scale (ECB). Estud Psicol (Natal). 2009;14:213−21.

17. Chong MYF, Lin SHX, Lim WY, Ong J, Kam PCA, Ong SGK. Burnout in anaesthesiology residents: a systematic review of its prevalence and stressors. Eur J Anaesthesiol. 2022;39:368−77.

18. Bui D, Winegarner A, Kendall MC, Almeida M, Apruzzese P, De Oliveira GS. Burnout and depression among anesthesiology trainees in the United States: an updated national survey. J Clin Anesth. 2023;84:110990.

19. Surawattanasakul V, Siviroj P, Kiratipaisarl W. Resident physician burnout and association with working conditions, psychiatric determinants, and medical errors: a cross-sectional study. PLoS One. 2024;19:e0312839.

20. World Health Organization. Mental health and psychosocial considerations for health workers [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2025 Dec 16]. Available from: https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/mental-health-considerations.pdf.

21. Guille C, Sen S. Burnout, depression, and diminished well-being among physicians. N Engl J Med. 2024;391:1519−27.

22. Azi LMTA, Ferreira TS, Cerqueira-Silva T, Diego LAS, Albuquerque MAC, Azi ML. Prevalence of burnout syndrome in Brazilian anesthesiologists during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional survey. PLoS One. 2025;20:e0313538.

23. Rodrigues H, Cobucci R, Oliveira A, et al. Burnout syndrome among medical residents: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2018;13:e0206840.

24. Almeida GDC, Souza HRD, Almeida PCD, Almeida BDC, Almeida GH. The prevalence of burnout syndrome in medical students. Arch Clin Psychiatry (Sao Paulo). 2016;43:6 −10.

25. Maslach C, Jackson SE, Leiter MP. Maslach Burnout Inventory manual. 4th ed. Menlo Park. Mind Garden; 2018.

26. Hu YY, Ellis RJ, Hewitt DB, et al. Discrimination, abuse, harassment, and burnout in surgical residency training. N Engl J Med. 2019;381:1741−52.

Submitted date:
01/09/2026

Accepted date:
05/20/2026

6a63574ba95395645c66cc45 rba Articles
Links & Downloads
2352-2291 (Electronic) 0104-0014 (Printed)
Braz J Anesthesiol ©2026 All rights reserved for this website content. Articles follow their own licenses.

Braz J Anesthesiol

Share this page
Page Sections