Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39819936›Full record

ArticleBMJ open2025

Burnout in New Zealand resident doctors: a cross-sectional study of prevalence and risk factors.

Alex B Boyle, Denys Shay, Tanushk Martyn, Earle Savage, Simon B M MacLean, Susanna Every-Palmer

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMJ open, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Alex B BoyleSpecialty Trainees of New Zealand, Christchurch, New Zealand research@stonz.co.nz.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6849-2871
Denys ShayDepartment of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9242-4094
Tanushk MartynDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rotorua Hospital, Rotorua, New Zealand.
Earle SavageDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rotorua Hospital, Rotorua, New Zealand.
Simon B M MacLeanDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tauranga Hospital, Tauranga, New Zealand.
Susanna Every-PalmerDepartment of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveBurnout syndrome, characterised by emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and decreased personal accomplishment, is well documented in the medical workforce. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of burnout in New Zealand resident doctors (doctors who have yet to complete their specialty training).

designCross-sectional survey study of resident doctors in New Zealand.

settingDistributed by email.

participants509 resident doctors currently working in New Zealand. Doctors not currently working or those who have completed their specialty training (consultants) were excluded. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Participants were asked about a number of demographic and work-related factors and to complete the Maslach Burnout Inventory, which measures the three dimensions of burnout: 'Emotional Exhaustion', 'Depersonalisation' and low 'Personal Accomplishment'.

results409/509 (80%) of respondents had scores indicating high burnout on at least one dimension. 163 (32%) had high burnout on one dimension, 111 (22%) on two dimensions and 135 (26%) on all three dimensions. Feeling well supported protected against burnout in all three dimensions: emotional exhaustion (OR 0.34, CI 0.19 to 0.60), depersonalisation (OR 0.52, CI 0.31 to 0.86) and decreased personal accomplishment (OR 0.51, CI 0.29 to 0.78). Having a manageable workload protected against emotional exhaustion (OR 0.23, CI 0.13 to 0.37) and depersonalisation (OR 0.39, CI 0.24 to 0.61). Increasing weekly exercise was protective for personal accomplishment (OR 0.846, CI 0.73 to 0.98). Having children was protective for depersonalisation (OR 0.7, CI 0.53 to 0.90). A personal history of depression or anxiety was associated with burnout on all three dimensions: emotional exhaustion (OR 2.86, CI 1.67 to 5.00), depersonalisation (OR 1.66, CI 1.01 to 2.73) and decreased personal accomplishment (OR 1.71, CI 1.05 to 2.80). Alcohol misuse was associated with an increased risk of depersonalisation (OR 1.68, CI 1.08 to 2.62), and feeling inadequately remunerated was associated with emotional exhaustion (OR 2.27, CI 1.28 to 4.17). Qualitative data revealed concerns about poor staffing, inadequate remuneration, a focus on service provision over education, slow career progression and difficulty balancing work and specialty examinations.

conclusionsBurnout has a high prevalence in New Zealand's resident doctor workforce. Several associations and qualitative themes were identified. These findings may aid in the development of interventions to mitigate burnout in the medical workforce.

Indexed as

Burnout, ProfessionalInternship and ResidencyPhysiciansAdultCross-Sectional StudiesDepersonalizationFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedNew ZealandPrevalenceRisk FactorsSurveys and QuestionnairesWorkloadBurnoutMEDICAL EDUCATION & TRAININGOccupational Stress

Identifiers

PMID39819936
PMCPMC11751903

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.