Work Engagement, Burnout and Vigor among a Group of Medical Residents in Turkey

Aims: Burnout, vigor and work engagement are important issues for work related well-being. In Turkey, the well-being of medical residents is a neglected issue and no attention has been given to the evaluation of this situation. This study has two aims, first to assess the reliability and validity of the Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure, which is a newer instrument than the Maslach Burnout Inventory, together with two other newer instruments: the Shirom-Melamed Vigor Measure and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale-17. Secondly to determine the prevalence of burnout and work engagement and the possible factors related to burnout, vigor and work engagement among a group of Turkish medical residents.
Study Design: Cross-sectional, empirical study.
Place and Duration of Study: Teaching hospital of one university in Turkey, located at the most developed western part of the country, between September-December 2010.
Methodology: All of the registered medical residents (N=440) were included into the study. Shirom Melamed Burnout Measure, Shirom Melamed Vigor Measure and the Utrecht Work-Engagement Scale-17 were filled out by the participants.
Results: The results revealed all instruments to have good reliability and validity. Nearly half of the participants (49.6%) had burnout scores above than the mean burnout score of the study group and 45.1% had an average work engagement level. With an increase in age both vigor and work engagement was seen to increase. Female residents were found to be more vigorous than males. With increasing economic status, burnout was observed to decrease whereas vigor and work engagement increased. Among occupational factors, working hours were found to be positively related to burnout.
Conclusion: The situation of Turkish medical residents in terms of work related well-being is alarming. There is an urgent need for more attention and research into the effects of working conditions and subsequent solutions and interventions that would improve the working conditions of medical residents in Turkey.