Factors affecting residents’ internal motivation, grit, and well-being

Abstract Background Residents completing competency-based medical education for postgraduate training face many challenging situations that may compromise their well-being or result in exhaustion or burnout. Factors described in self-determination theory and grit are important for residents’ achievement of learning outcomes and well-being. This study explored the relationships among internal motivation, grit, well-being, and related factors among non-Western Asian residents. Methods We conducted an explanatory sequential mixed-methods survey-based study to explore correlations among satisfaction with basic psychological needs, grit, and well-being from September to November 2021 among residents at Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand. Data were collected with the Basic Psychological Needs Scale, Short Grit Scale, and World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index. Next, participants with the highest and lowest scores for each scale were purposively invited to participate in semi-structured interviews. Interview data underwent thematic analysis and data collection continued until saturation was reached. Results In total, 245 residents (51% major ward, 65% female) completed the survey. There were strong associations between internal motivation, grit, and well-being (r = 0.46–0.90). Female residents had higher autonomy and relatedness scores than males (p = 0.04 and p = 0.01, respectively), and residents with less family responsibility had higher relatedness scores than other residents (p = 0.01). Residents who got more sleep had higher autonomy, relatedness, and well-being scores than those that slept less (p  5 times/week had higher well-being scores than other residents (p < 0.01). Thirty residents completed interviews. The thematic analysis revealed internal motivation, grit, and well-being were promoted by a supportive learning environment, a well-designed curriculum, actions and personalities of faculty members, and good personal factors. Conclusion Internal motivation is significantly correlated with residents’ grit, well-being, gender, family burdens, exercise, and sleep hours. Priority should be given to promoting internal motivation, grit, and well-being among residents by enhancing a positive learning environment, creating well-designed curricula, fostering good characteristics and actions among faculty members, and supporting residents’ personal lives

The effect of online video-assisted teaching program on medical students learning procedure of fractional curettage

Abstract Objectives Since 2020, with the entire world in crisis over the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), medical students have adapted to hybrid and distance learning. This study aims to compare the learning outcomes of students learning the procedure of fractional curettage in an online video-assisted teaching program to those of students learning the procedure in a traditional class. Methods A quasi-experimental study was conducted among fourth-year medical students who rotated to Obstetrics and Gynecology courses between April 2021 and October 2021. Participants in the first two rotations were enrolled in traditional classes, and the online video-assisted teaching program was introduced in the subsequent two rotations. Both study groups took OSCEs (objective structured clinical examinations), a pre-test and post-test with MCQs (multiple choice questions), and a confidence and satisfaction level questionnaire. Results A total of 106 fourth-year medical students, 54 in the traditional group and 52 in the online video-assisted teaching program, were recruited. The online video-assisted group showed a statistically better mean OSCE score (85.67 ± 11.29 vs. 73.87 ± 13.01, p < 0.001) and mean post-test MCQ score than the traditional group (4.21 ± 0.87 vs. 3.80 ± 0.98, p = 0.0232). Moreover, the mean difference between the two groups' pre and post-test MCQ scores was significantly different (0.96 ± 1.37 vs. 1.79 ± 1.50 in traditional and online video-assisted teaching program groups, respectively, P = 0.0038). The participants in the experimental group reported significantly greater confidence (P < 0.001) in performing the fractional curettage procedure. However, the mean satisfaction score was significantly higher in the control group (p = 0.0053). Conclusion The online video-assisted teaching program on the fractional curettage procedure, a necessary and skill-demanding procedure, is an effective and advantageous education tool that improves skills, knowledge, and confidence in fourth-year medical students. We recommend that the video-assisted teaching program is another effectively procedural teaching method for medical students

Promoting a sense of belonging, engagement, and collegiality to reduce burnout:a mixed methods study among undergraduate medical students in a non-Western, Asian context

BACKGROUND: Burnout is a psychological condition induced by work-related chronic interpersonal stressors. Interventions creating a sense of belonging and collegiality have been proposed as approaches for alleviating burnout. The current study aimed to: (1) explore the relationships between burnout, sense of belonging (relatedness with others), and work engagement; and (2) identify the key elements perceived by undergraduate medical students as positively contributing to collegiality, engagement, and a sense of belonging, in an undergraduate medical training setting. METHODS: An exploratory sequential mixed-methods design using questionnaires and semi-structured individual interviews collected quantitative and qualitative data among undergraduate medical students at Mahidol University, Thailand. The Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey questionnaire was used to measure burnout. The Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction at Work Scale (BPNSS-21) and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale-Student Version (UWESS-9) measured students' basic psychological needs satisfaction at work and work engagement, respectively. Descriptive statistical analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were performed on BPNSS-21 and UWESS-9 data. Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to identify the correlation between burnout and other factors. Twenty undergraduate medical students participated in the qualitative study. Qualitative analysis was conducted iteratively using constant comparison and the standard principles of primary, secondary, and tertiary coding for thematic analysis. RESULTS: Thai versions of the BPNSS-21 and UWESS-9 showed an acceptable fit for the Thai cultural context. Burnout had significant weak inverse associations with engagement (r = - 0.39, p < 0.005) and basic psychological needs satisfaction (r = - 0.37, p < 0.005). Sense of belonging had a significant weak inverse relationship with burnout (r = - 0.25, p < 0.005). The main themes emerging from qualitative analysis were relevant tasks and learning activities, safety in the learning environment, peer interaction, program design factors, dynamics of collegiality while progressing through medical school, and personal stance and social skills. CONCLUSIONS: Sense of belonging, engagement, and collegiality were related to burnout. The key features for promoting collegiality, the sense of belonging, and engagement were relevant tasks and learning activities, safety in the learning environment, peer interaction, program design factors, dynamics of collegiality while progressing through medical school, and personal stance and social skills

Exploring burnout and depression of Thai medical students:the psychometric properties of the Maslach burnout inventory

Objectives: To examine the psychometric properties of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey (MBI-SS) Thai version and to determine the frequency of burnout and correlation between burnout and associated factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate medical students using convenience sampling (n=545, 76.1% response rate, female 52.1%). Data were collected by a self-report survey. The MBI-SS was translated in Thai and tested for internal consistency using Cronbach's coefficient alpha. A confirmatory factor analysis was performed using as fit indices of the chi-square and degree of freedom ratio (chi(2)/df), Comparative Fit Index (CFI), the Goodness of Fit Index (GFI), the Non-normed Fit Index (NNFI), Akaike information criterion (AIC) and the Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA). Spearman and Kendall's tau-b were used to identify correlations between burnout, depression and other factors. Results: Interrater reliability was acceptable with Kappa of 0.83. Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated good fit indices (chi(2)/df=197.62/83, CFI=0.97, GFI=0.95, NNFI=0.96, AIC=271.62 and RMSEA=0.06). Burnout had a weak, positive association with the PHQ-9 (r=0.294, df=2, p<0.001). The screening depression score had a significant, modest positive association with emotional exhaustion (r=0.469, df=4, p Conclusions: The Thai version of the MBI-SS had adequate psychometric properties among Thai medical students and can be used to assess burnout among undergraduate medical students in Thailand. Burnout was associated with risk for depression. Further studies on other associated factors contributing to depression are suggested

An exploratory university-based cross-sectional study of the prevalence and reporting of mistreatment and student-related factors among Thai medical students

Abstract Background Mistreatment is a behavior that reflects disrespect for the dignity of others. Mistreatment can be intentional or unintentional, and can interfere with the process of learning and perceived well-being. This study explored the prevalence and characteristics of mistreatment, mistreatment reporting, student-related factors, and consequences among medical students in Thai context. Methods We first developed a Thai version of the Clinical Workplace Learning Negative Acts Questionnaire-Revised (NAQ-R) using a forward-back translation process with quality analysis. The design was a cross-sectional survey study, using the Thai Clinical Workplace Learning NAQ-R, Thai Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey, Thai Patient Health Questionnaire (to assess depression risk), demographic information, mistreatment characteristics, mistreatment reports, related factors, and consequences. Descriptive and correlational analyses using multivariate analysis of variance were conducted. Results In total, 681 medical students (52.4% female, 54.6% in the clinical years) completed the surveys (79.1% response rate). The reliability of the Thai Clinical Workplace Learning NAQ-R was high (Cronbach’s alpha 0.922), with a high degree of agreement (83.9%). Most participants (n = 510, 74.5%) reported that they had experienced mistreatment. The most common type of mistreatment was workplace learning-related bullying (67.7%), and the most common source was attending staff or teachers (31.6%). People who mistreated preclinical medical students were most often senior students or peers (25.9%). People who mistreated clinical students were most commonly attending staff (57.5%). Only 56 students (8.2%) reported these instances of mistreatment to others. Students’ academic year was significantly related to workplace learning-related bullying (r = 0.261, p < 0.001). Depression and burnout risk were significantly associated with person-related bullying (depression: r = 0.20, p < 0.001, burnout: r = 0.20, p = 0.012). Students who experienced person-related bullying were more often the subject of filed unprofessional behavior reports, concerning conflict or arguments with colleagues, being absent from class or work without reasonable cause, and mistreatment of others. Conclusions Mistreatment of medical students was evident in medical school and was related to the risk for depression and burnout, as well as the risk of unprofessional behavior. Trial registration TCTR20230107006(07/01/2023)

Exploring burnout and the association with the educational climate in pediatric residents in Thailand

BackgroundThis study, undertaken in Bangkok, Thailand, explored the extent to which paediatric residents in a non-Western setting experienced burnout and the potential association with factors in the medical educational climate and work-related quality of life.MethodsAn exploratory sequential mixed methods design was employed in a cross-sectional study. The initial, quantitative phase used the validated Maslach Burnout Inventory, the Postgraduate Hospital Educational Environmental Measure (PHEEM) and Work-Related Quality of Life scale (WRQoL). Regression analysis was used to identify the correlation between burnout and educational climate. Thereafter, residents in all years with high levels of burnout on subscales were interviewed individually.ResultsForty-one paediatric residents completed the three questionnaires. None had high levels related to burnout in all three domains (emotional exhaustion, high level of depersonalization and perceived low personal accomplishment), seven (17%) showed high levels in two out of three domains. Emotional exhaustion and educational climate (perceptions of role autonomy, perceptions of teaching, perceptions of social support) were correlated with work-related quality of life. In the interviews, the main themes related to burnout were inappropriate tasks, teachers and teaching styles, the perception of knowledge insecurity relating to task performance, time dimensions, life crisis during training, role expectations and work allocation clarity, and facilities such as accommodation.ConclusionsThe study, in a non-Western setting, demonstrated a positive relation between educational climate and work-related quality of life. To help reduce the risk of burnout, the following factors were identified: minimize unnecessary or duplicated workload, schedule time arrangements to avoid extension of regular duty hours, and clearly define role expectations. The impact of inappropriate tasks, teachers and teaching styles (including unsafe environment) on the incidence of burnout was also highlighted. Additional studies focusing on teaching styles, safe learning climate and mistreatment in a non-Western context are needed

Correction to: Exploring burnout and the association with the educational climate in pediatric residents in Thailand

Following publication of the original article