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Doctors Burnout: Crisis at PGI
30 Apr
Summary
- Nearly 80% of resident doctors work over 60 hours weekly.
- Many doctors experience extreme exhaustion and stress.
- Patient safety concerns rise due to resident burnout.
A recent survey at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGI) has highlighted a critical burnout crisis among its resident doctors. The study, encompassing 462 residents from 38 departments, indicates that the demanding work environment is severely impacting medical professionals' well-being.
Findings reveal that approximately 80% of surveyed residents exceed 60 working hours per week, with a significant portion, 46%, logging over 80 hours. This intense workload often results in continuous shifts of 24 to 30 hours without adequate rest or regular days off, contributing to chronic fatigue and mental exhaustion.
The survey further detailed the toll on doctors' mental health, with many reporting extreme exhaustion, sleep disturbances, and an inability to balance clinical responsibilities with academic training. A substantial number of doctors admitted to skipping meals and feeling rushed during patient care, symptoms directly linked to staffing shortages that force residents to cover essential gaps.
Regarding stress levels, 48.70% of participants reported normal stress, while 38.85% experienced mild to extremely severe stress. Similarly, in terms of anxiety, 30.30% reported normal levels, contrasted by 33.76% experiencing mild to moderate anxiety, underscoring the pervasive mental health challenges faced by these medical professionals.
