Preserving Resilience for Prevention of Burnout in Anesthesiology Residents as Frontline Healthcare Workers During the COVID-19 Outbreak: A Report of Real-life Experiences of Professionalism and  Mentoring in Medical Education

Shahram Samadi; Zahid Hussain Khan; Seyed Mohamad Mireskandari; Kasra Karvandian; Afshin  Jafarzadeh; Asghar Hajipour

doi:10.18502/jfrh.v16i4.11350

Shahram Samadi Department of Anesthesiology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences; Tehran, Iran
Zahid Hussain Khan Department of Anesthesiology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences; Tehran, Iran
Seyed Mohamad Mireskandari Department of Anesthesiology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences; Tehran, Iran
Kasra Karvandian Department of Anesthesiology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences; Tehran, Iran
Afshin Jafarzadeh Department of Anesthesiology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences; Tehran, Iran
Asghar Hajipour Department of Anesthesiology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences; Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jfrh.v16i4.11350

Keywords: Burnout; Anesthesia Residents; COVID-19; Professionalism; Medical Education; Resilience; Mentoring

Abstract

Objective: During the COVID-19 pandemic, burnout of healthcare workers, including anesthetists, has become a critical issue. This study aimed to provide a practical framework for decreasing and preventing burnout among anesthesiology residents through preserving their good mental health.

Materials and methods: Since the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak, anesthesiology residents have been members of medical teams with the attending staff, senior residents, and partner residents. Besides, the following measures were taken to reduce burnout: providing financial support for the attending staff to procure personal protective equipment (PPE), rearrangement of work schedules to reduce the workload, holding training sessions in virtual meetings, and improving the social network system for reducing burnout.

Results: The interventional program could help anesthesiology residents to adapt to or cope with the healthcare system status and also prevent burnout. Moreover, development of empathy, integrity, and cohesion in the healthcare system motivated the staff to comply with the principles of medical professionalism.

Conclusion: During the current health crisis due to COVID-19, it is essential to implement specific interventional and training programs for decreasing or preventing burnout among healthcare workers.