Relationship Of Burnout with Screen Time In Under Graduate Medical Students

Abstract

Introduction: Burnout, in the context of medical education, is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion, often accompanied by a diminished sense of personal accomplishment. Burnout may adversely affect the well-being and motivation of medical students consequently resulting in compromised academic performance.

Aim and Objectives: The present study aims to explore the correlation of screen time with burnout and its subtypes including overload, neglect and lack of development.

Place and Duration of Study: The present cross-sectional study was conducted at Shifa College of Medicine from September 2019-February 2021.

Material & Methods: The present study included a total of 284 students from the first year to the final year using convenience purposive sampling. The students who provided written informed consent were enrolled in the study.These participants completed a structured questionnaire, which included various demographic variables and information regarding students' screen time, specifically for academic purposes and leisure activities. To evaluate burnout, the study utilized the "Burnout Clinical Subtype Questionnaire" (BCSQ), which has been adapted for student use (BCSQ-12- SS).The data was entered & analyzed using SPSS version 23, a p-value of ?0.05 was considered significant.

Results: The mean age of participants of the study was 20.56±1.73 years. The correlation analysis showed a significant correlation of neglect, lack of development and total burnout score with screen time for non-educational purposes in medical students with a p-value of 0.022, 0.009 and 0.009 respectively. Screen time for educational purposes hada significant correlation with the overload domain of burnout; r=0.157 (p=0.039). Students with self-perception of bad health had a significant correlation of screen time for non-educational purposes with total burnout score; r=0.234(p=0.04). Scores of total burnout and subtypes of overload, neglect and lack of development were significantly lower in students with self-perception of good health.

Conclusion: The present study reveals a significant correlation between screen time among medical students and burnout, highlighting the potential impact on both physical and mental health.