Perceived stress, burnout levels and healthy behaviors of family medicine residents: The effect of an educational program

ABSTRACT Perceived Stress, Burnout Levels and Healthy Behaviors of Family Medicine Residents: the Effect of an Educational Program Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a structured educational program, which is related to social problem solving, and stress management, on perceived stress, burnout levels and healthy behaviours of family medicine residents. Materials and Method: The family medicine residents of Çukurova University Faculty of Medicine (n=26) were given psychoeducation, related to stress management and social problem solving, one hour per week for eight weeks. They completed the following scales at the beginning (month zero), at the end of the educational program (month two) and the follow-up period (month 6): Perceived Stress Scale, Maslach Burnout Inventory (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and personal accomplishment), Healthy Lifestyle Behaviours Scale - II (nutrition, physical activity, stress management, interpersonal relationships, spirituality, healthy responsibility) and Social Problem Solving Inventory (orientation, resolution, total). Results: Of the participants 65.4% were female. The mean age was 29.81 ± 3.09 years. There were significant changes in all mean scores (p<0.05) after educational program (month two), except for the perceived stress, emotional exhaustion and depersonalization score. At month six, it was observed that the significant differences of changes were continued for nutrition, stress management, interpersonal relationships, spirituality, orientation, healthy lifestyle behaviours total and social problem solving inventory total scores. The participants found the educational programme useful (4.58±0.57 over 5.00), and stated that it should be more frequent and longer and should be in the Specialization Training Curriculum (4.85±0.36). Conclusions: It was observed that a social problem solving and stress management psychoeducation programme has positive effects on the perceived stress, burnout levels and healthy behaviours of family medicine residents in short and long term. Key words: Family medicine, resident, stress, social problem solving, healthy behaviours