ArticleBMC medical education2026
Nationwide assessment of burnout among medical undergraduates in Saudi Arabia using the Maslach Burnout Inventory.
Article in BMC medical education, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
backgroundBurnout is increasingly recognized as a critical issue among medical students, with potential consequences for academic performance, psychological well-being, and future professional practice. Evidence from Saudi Arabia has largely been limited to single-institution studies, highlighting the need for a broader national assessment.
objectiveTo assess the prevalence, severity, and determinants of burnout among undergraduate medical students across 20 institutions in Saudi Arabia using the Maslach Burnout Inventory–Student Survey (MBI-SS).
methodsA cross-sectional study was conducted using a convenience sampling technique between December 2023 and December 2024 among 395 medical students from 20 institutions across five regions of Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using a self-administered bilingual questionnaire comprising demographic variables, psychological behaviors, and the MBI-SS. Burnout was defined as meeting at least two criteria: high emotional exhaustion (≥ 5.0), high cynicism (≥ 5.0), or low academic efficacy (≤ 2.99). Descriptive statistics and inferential tests (Chi-square, t-tests, ANOVA, and Pearson correlations) were used to analyze associations.
resultsNearly half of the students (47.1%) reported high emotional exhaustion, 24.3% high cynicism, and 17.2% low academic efficacy. Overall burnout, defined as meeting at least two MBI-SS criteria, was significantly associated with gender, GPA, physical activity, university type, and monthly income. In addition, several demographic and lifestyle factors showed significant associations with individual burnout dimensions, particularly emotional exhaustion and cynicism. Female students exhibited higher levels of exhaustion and cynicism compared to males (p < 0.01). Physically active students demonstrated lower burnout levels, while those with lower GPAs showed greater vulnerability. Assignment overload, family issues, and financial stress were the most frequently cited contributors. Alarmingly, 43% of participants considered dropping out, and 24% reported suicidal ideation.
conclusionBurnout is highly prevalent among Saudi medical students, with emotional exhaustion being the dominant dimension. Academic performance, gender, socioeconomic status, and lifestyle factors significantly influenced burnout levels. Targeted interventions- including wellness programs, academic counseling, and institutional mental health support- are urgently needed to safeguard student well-being and sustain a resilient medical workforce.
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