Burnout in Ophthalmology Residents in a Tertiary Referral Hospital in Mexico City

Authors

  • Lourdes Adriana Medina-Gaona Medical Resident of Ophthalmology. Asociación para Evitar la Ceguera en México I. A. P., Mexico. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2900-2793
  • Gerardo García Aguirre 2. Attending Physician. Retina Department, Asociación para Evitar la Ceguera en México I. A. P., Mexico City and Clinical professor of ophthalmology, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Mexico City, Mexico. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6056-9475
  • Guillermo Salcedo Villanueva 3. Attending Physician. Retina Department, Asociación para Evitar la Ceguera en México I. A. P., Mexico. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2526-6342
  • Flor Angélica Jacome -Gutierrez General Physician from Universidad Popular Autónoma del Estado de Puebla, Mexico. https://orcid.org/0009-0006-4544-2912

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/ijms.2025.2794

Keywords:

burnout, Ophthalmology, residents, Mental Health, Emotional exhaustion , Depersonalization, Work-related stress, Sleep deprivation, Medical errors, Mexico

Abstract

Background: Burnout is a syndrome conceptualized as a consequence of chronic workplace stress and is characterized by three dimensions: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment. The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) is the most widely used instrument to assess burnout. Due to cultural, political, and sociocultural factors, burnout rates are reported to be higher in Mexico. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of burnout and the factors associated with its development among residents in general ophthalmology and subspecialties at the Asociación Para Evitar la Ceguera (APEC) in Mexico using the MBI.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using Google Forms and distributed via social networks and email between January and March 2023 to residents training at APEC. The survey consisted of five sections, including the MBI. Data analysis was performed using the SPSS statistical package.

Results: A total of 55 responses were obtained from 122 residents, yielding a response rate of 45%. The prevalence of burnout was 76% (95% CI: 0.65–0.88). Factors significantly associated with burnout included lack of sleep, self-perception of an unhealthy diet, and the number of days per week spent providing consultations. Additionally, burnout was associated with residents’ self-perception of having made medical errors.

Conclusion: Burnout is highly prevalent among ophthalmology residents. Several factors may contribute to its development, particularly sleep deprivation and increased workload. Conducting studies of this nature is essential to identify risk factors and to design effective interventions aimed at improving the well-being and performance of this population.

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This bar chart shows the prevalence of burnout among residents, with 76.4% of individuals reporting that they have been affected in at least one category, compared to only 23.6% who indicated they were not. The high percentage in the "Yes" category highlights a significant majority of the studied population experiencing symptoms or indicators of burnout.

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Published

2025-12-14 — Updated on 2025-12-16

How to Cite

Medina-Gaona, L. A., García Aguirre, G., Salcedo Villanueva, G., & Jacome -Gutierrez, F. A. (2025). Burnout in Ophthalmology Residents in a Tertiary Referral Hospital in Mexico City. International Journal of Medical Students, 13(4), 408–418. https://doi.org/10.5195/ijms.2025.2794

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 4 (2025)

Section

Original Article

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Copyright (c) 2025 Lourdes Adriana Medina-Gaona, Gerardo García Aguirre, Guillermo Salcedo Villanueva, Flor Angélica Jacome - Gutierrez

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