Burnout and quality of life among orthopaedic trainees in a modern educational programme

• Published in: Journal of bone and joint surgery. British volume Vol. 96-B; no. 8; pp. 1133 - 1138
• Main Authors: van Vendeloo, SN, Brand, PLP, Verheyen, CCPM
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.08.2014
• ISSN: 0301-620X
• DOI: 10.1302/0301-620X.96B8.33609

We aimed to determine quality of life and burnout among Dutch orthopaedic trainees following a modern orthopaedic curriculum, with strict compliance to a 48-hour working week. We also evaluated the effect of the clinical climate of learning on their emotional well-being.We assessed burnout, quality of life and the clinical climate of learning in 105 orthopaedic trainees using the Maslach Burnout Inventory, linear analogue scale self-assessments, and Dutch Residency Educational Climate Test (D-RECT), respectively.A total of 19 trainees (18%) had poor quality of life and 49 (47%) were dissatisfied with the balance between their personal and professional life. Some symptoms of burnout were found in 29 trainees (28%). Higher D-RECT scores (indicating a better climate of learning) were associated with a better quality of life (r = 0.31, p = 0.001), more work-life balance satisfaction (r = 0.31, p = 0.002), fewer symptoms of emotional exhaustion (r = -0.21, p = 0.028) and depersonalisation (r = -0,28, p = 0.04).A reduced quality of life with evidence of burnout were still seen in a significant proportion of orthopaedic trainees despite following a modern curriculum with strict compliance to a 48-hour working week. It is vital that further work is undertaken to improve the quality of life and reduce burnout in this cohort.Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014; 96-B:1133-8.