Perceived stress, anxiety and depressive symptoms among anaesthesia and intensive care residents: A French national survey

Background: Mental health and well-being is a significant problem for medical students in training. In this study, we aim to estimate the prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms, burnout and psychosocial distress in French anaesthesia and intensive care residents. Methods: A national online observational study used validated questionnaires (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and work-related questions (work-hours per week, night shift per month, safety rest after night shift, average time to start and end work, break time and time for lunch) to assess mental health and well-being of French residents in anaesthesia and intensive care. Results: We obtained 519 answers (22.5% of 2302 students), 55% of respondents working in anaesthesia, 41% in intensive care at the time of study. Residents describe certain symptomatology in anxiety (19.8%) and depressive symptoms (7.8%). PSS identifies a perceived high stress (score > 27) for 55.7% of the subjects. The CBI questionnaire identifies 205 (38.9%) residents undergoing burnout, 80.7% working more than 48 h per week and 39.1% more than 60 h. The duration of work per week (> 50 h), gender (female) and on-going training in intensive care are independent risk factors of psychological suffering. Lifestyle and level of training are not statistically identified risk factors. Conclusion: This first online survey of French anaesthesia and intensive care residents reveals a significant frequency of anxiety and depressive symptoms, burnout and a link to potential targets of improvement in work conditions mainly related to the number of work hours per week. (C) 2021 Societe francaise d'anesthesie et de reanimation (Sfar). Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study estimated the prevalence of anxiety, depressive symptoms, burnout, and psychosocial distress among French anaesthesia and intensive care residents. Findings revealed a significant frequency of anxiety, depressive symptoms, and burnout, with factors like work hours, gender, and ongoing training in intensive care being identified as independent risk factors for psychological suffering. There is a need for potential improvement in work conditions, especially related to the number of work hours per week.