Effect of Burnout Due to Heavy Workload on Surgical Residents: A Multi-National Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

<title>Abstract</title> Background Burnout is a common issue among surgical residents, caused by excessive workload, emotional strain, and insufficient support systems. While global studies have addressed this challenge, still limited data exist from Middle Eastern residency programs. Objectives To assess the prevalence and severity of burnout among surgical residents in Egypt, Jordan, and Palestine, and to examine its association with workload, experience level, and training environment. Methods This multicenter, cross-sectional study was conducted between May and July 2025 among surgical residents using a custom-designed burnout questionnaire. The survey assessed emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and perceived workload. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-squared tests, Kruskal-Wallis tests, and Spearman correlations. Results A total of 102 residents responded. According to thresholds taken from the Maslach Burnout Inventory Manual (3rd ed.), an estimated <bold>60% of respondents</bold> experienced moderate-to-severe burnout symptoms. Emotional exhaustion (~ 56%) and depersonalization (~ 45%) were the most affected domains. Significant associations were found between burnout scores and country of training (χ² = 33.02, p &lt; 0.001), years of experience (χ² = 9.71, p = 0.045), and perceived workload (ρ = 0.23, p = 0.021). Institutional support showed a weak inverse correlation with burnout (ρ = − 0.18, p = 0.063). Conclusion Burnout is highly prevalent among surgical residents in the studied countries and is significantly influenced by workload and stage of training. Residency programs should adopt systemic interventions focused on workload regulation, psychological support, and institutional reform to reduce burnout and enhance surgical education outcomes.