Prevalence of burnout syndrome in Brazilian neurosurgery residents: A nationwide questionnaire-based survey

Burnout syndrome (BS) is a significant issue among neurosurgery residents, resulting from chronic emotional and interpersonal stressors. Characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and low personal accomplishment, BS can lead to decreased productivity, interpersonal relationships, and medical errors. This study aims to analyze the prevalence of BS among Brazilian neurosurgery residents and identify associated factors. We conducted a cross-sectional study using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and questionnaires covering sociodemographic information, mental health, and job satisfaction. The study surveyed all Brazilian neurosurgery residency programs, with 118 out of 600 residents (19.6 %) responding. The prevalence of BS was 64.1 %, and 94.9 % had at least one high domain. Third-year residents exhibited the highest rate of burnout (79.2 %). Gender significantly influenced burnout rates, with males showing higher levels. Additionally, dissatisfaction with personal life and insufficient physical exercise were associated with increased likelihood of burnout. They also exhibited higher dissatisfaction with their academic productivity, time for study, and balance between professional and personal life. Suicidal ideation was reported by 16.1 % of residents but was not statistically associated with BS. Multivariate analysis showed that only male sex was an independent variable of having BS (OR 2.97 95CI 1.005–8.78, p = 0.049). Also, those with BS were less likely to choose neurosurgery again (OR 0.22 95CI 0.06–0.78, p = 0.02) or recommend it as a specialty (OR 0.32 95CI 0.11–0.93, p = 0.03) This study highlights the high prevalence of BS among Brazilian neurosurgery residents, indicating a need for targeted interventions to address these stressors and improve resident well-being.