Prevalence of burnout among pediatric surgical resident physicians and the role of mentorship: a cross-sectional study

Burnout among resident physicians is a growing worldwide concern. It is characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment. We assessed burnout prevalence among pediatric surgical residents and the potential mitigating role of mentorship. A cross-sectional study was conducted using a 26-item electronic survey, including the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), distributed to residents in a national pediatric surgery residency program. The survey gathered demographic data and mentorship status. Associations between burnout and age, gender, training level, and mentorship were analyzed using Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests. Of 51 eligible residents, 41 responded (80%). Moderate-to-severe emotional exhaustion was present in 27/41 (65.8%), moderate-to-severe depersonalization in 14/41 (34.1%), and low personal accomplishment in 38/41 (92.7%). Overall, 29/41 (70.7%) met burnout criteria in at least two domains. Residents without mentors reported higher severe emotional exhaustion (9/24 [37.5%] vs. 2/17 [11.8%]) and low personal accomplishment (17/24 [70.8%] vs. 6/17 [35.3%]); the difference reached significance for personal accomplishment (p = 0.04). This study highlights the high prevalence of burnout among pediatric surgical residents and the potential benefits of mentorship. Structured mentorship programs are recommended to reduce burnout among pediatric surgery residents. Future research should explore structured mentorship programs that align residents with faculty mentors based on shared professional and personal goals may help mitigate burnout and improve trainee well-being.