Prevalence of Academic Burnout among Medical Students Worldwide: A Systematic Review

Background: Medical training is stressful and may negatively affect students. This study aimed to summarize and compare studies on academic burnout among medical students worldwide.Materials and Methods In this systematic review, a systemic search of online databases (Medline, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, CIVILICA, and Google Scholar search engine) was conducted for relevant studies with no time limit up to December ۲۰۲۱. Two reviewers evaluated the quality of eligible studies and carried out the selection procedure. The quality of the information was evaluated using the STROBE positioning guidelines.Results: A total of ۳۴ studies from ۱۸ countries across all continents (a total of ۹,۱۹۹ medical students) were included in the study. The students’ academic burnout across worldwide studies ranged from ۸.۹% (Saudi Arabia) to ۹۱.۱% (Iran). Based on the results, the highest prevalence of each dimension of the syndrome was estimated at ۹۳.۱% for emotional exhaustion, ۹۷.۲% for cynicism, and ۲۰.۷% for academic efficacy. Female medical students, relatively older students (> ۳۰ years), those in the third year of study, and students pursuing primary care are at an increased risk for burnout.Conclusion: Today, burnout is prevalent during medical training. The prevalence of academic burnout among students varied from ۸.۹% to ۹۱.۱% in different countries. Psychological and managerial interventions can help students with burnout. It is necessary to pay more attention to female, relatively older, and the third year medical students.

Keywords:

Academic burnout , Medical students , Prevalence , Worldwide