Sophia M. Smith MD, MS , Anna Kobzeva-Herzog MD , Patrick McGillen MD, MS , Myriam Castagne-Charlotin MD , Joshua Davies MD , Sabrina E. Sanchez MD, MPH , Tracey Dechert MD, FACS , Tejal S. Brahmbhatt MD, FACS , Sheina Theodore MD
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Internalized Shame Experiences and Burnout in General Surgery Residents
OBJECTIVE
General surgery residents have high rates of professional burnout, characterized by depersonalization, emotional exhaustion, and reduced sense of personal accomplishment. While shame experiences in surgical residency have been sparsely studied, there are no studies evaluating internalized shame states in surgical residents. This study quantifies internalized shame in surgical residents and its association with burnout. We hypothesized that higher levels of internalized shame would be associated with higher odds of burnout.
DESIGN
This cross-sectional study was conducted via an anonymous survey consisting of demographic information, the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), and the Experience of Shame Scale (ESS), both validated measures. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the association between ESS and MBI scores, controlling for age, sex, relationship and parental status, and resident seniority level.
SETTING
The survey was distributed among United States general surgery residency programs via email through the Association of Program Directors in Surgery.
PARTICIPANTS
Categorical general surgery residents were invited to participate.
RESULTS
122 general surgery residents responded to the survey. Respondents were 61.48% female (n = 75), with a median age of 31 (IQR 29-32) and distributed across postgraduate years. On multivariable logistic regression, increased ESS scores were significantly associated with higher odds of burnout (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.06-1.16, p < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
General surgery residents experience high rates of internalized shame (median ESS score 54.5, IQR 43-69), and shame states are significantly associated with increased odds of experiencing burnout. Interventions to minimize internalized shame experiences may help mitigate the high rates of burnout found in general surgery residents.
期刊介绍:
The Journal of Surgical Education (JSE) is dedicated to advancing the field of surgical education through original research. The journal publishes research articles in all surgical disciplines on topics relative to the education of surgical students, residents, and fellows, as well as practicing surgeons. Our readers look to JSE for timely, innovative research findings from the international surgical education community. As the official journal of the Association of Program Directors in Surgery (APDS), JSE publishes the proceedings of the annual APDS meeting held during Surgery Education Week.