Association Between Perceptions of Educational Environment and Burnout Syndrome in Clinical Medical Students

Abstract

Objective: Burnout syndrome is a critical concern among medical students, contributing to fatigue, reduced academic performance, and negative health outcomes. The educational environment is considered a key factor influencing burnout. This study aimed to assess medical students’ perceptions of their educational environment and its association with burnout syndrome. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Chonburi Hospital, Thailand, from November to December 2023, involving 106 clinical medical students. Burnout syndrome was measured using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), and perceptions of the educational environment were evaluated using the Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, and regression analyses. Results: The mean DREEM score was 125.17±12.80, indicating an overall positive perception of the educational environment. The prevalence of burnout syndrome among participants was 50.94%. DREEM scores were significantly negatively correlated with burnout (r=-0.504, p-value<0.001), emotional exhaustion (r=-0.427, p-value<0.001), and depersonalization (r=-0.395, p-value<0.001). Subscales such as the Students’ Perception of Learning (SPL), Students’ Academic Self-Perception (SAP), Students’ Perception of Atmosphere (SPA), and Students’ Social Self-Perception (SSP) were also significantly negatively associated with burnout (all p-value<0.001). Multivariate analysis identified SPA and SSP as significantly associated factors of burnout. Conclusion: Medical students’ perceptions of the educational atmosphere and social support are significantly associated with burnout syndrome. Targeted efforts to improve these aspects of the educational environment may be effective in reducing burnout among clinical medical students.