Burnout Prevalence Among Basic Sciences Faculty At A Private Medical College In Sialkot: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

Objective: Extreme exhaustion, inefficiency, and disengagement are hallmarks of burnout, a serious occupational hazard in academia. To determine the prevalence of burnout and its association with sociodemographic factors among basic sciences faculty at a private medical college in Sialkot, Pakistan.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from July to October 2024 using a census-based approach. All 56 full-time basic science faculty members were invited to participate in the study, and 48 participated (response rate 85.7%). Burnout was assessed using the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI), with scores >50 indicating high burnout. The term "client" was modified to "students" in the client-related subscale, following established precedent. Sociodemographic factors, including gender, designation, teaching experience, marital status, number of children, and income, were analysed. Binary logistic regression was performed to calculate odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results: The mean age of the participants was 34.23±9.69 years. High burnout was observed in 52.1% (n=25) of the faculty. The mean CBI subscale scores were as follows: personal burnout, 58.16±23.62; work-related burnout, 50.67±27.62; and student-related burnout, 51.74±32.05. Significant associations were found between high burnout and male gender (OR=3.33, 95% CI: 1.02-10.89, p=0.046), less than 5 years teaching experience (OR=8.00, 95% CI: 1.86-34.38, p=0.005), unmarried status (OR=17.50 for no children vs. two or more, 95% CI: 2.99-102.60, p=0.002), and monthly income <200,000 PKR (OR=7.39, 95% CI: 1.39-39.27, p=0.019). Married faculty members demonstrated protective effects (OR=0.08, 95% CI: 0.02-0.36, p=0.001). Senior faculty showed no high burnout compared to 55.6% of junior and 66.7% of mid-level faculty (p=0.019).

Conclusion: Over half of the basic sciences faculty experienced high burnout, with male gender, early career stage, limited teaching experience, unmarried status, childlessness, and lower income identified as significant risk factors. These findings highlight vulnerable populations and underscore the urgent need for targeted institutional interventions to support faculty well-being and ensure quality medical education.

Keywords: Burnout, Professional; Faculty, Medical; Cross-Sectional Studies; Schools, Medical; Pakistan; Stress, Psychological; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires.