Prevalence of Burnout in Medical and Non-medical Undergraduate Malaysian Students in Various International Universities - A Cross-Sectional Study

Aims: To determine the prevalence as well as potential risk factors of burnout among Malaysian undergraduates who were studying in Malaysia and overseas.

Study Design: Cross-sectional.

Place and Duration of Study: Melaka Manipal Medical College (MMMC), Melaka, between May and June 2016.

Methodology: We circulated the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory-Student Survey (CBI-SS) online to assess personal, studies-related, colleagues-related and teachers-related burnout levels among the students. A total of 538 responses were collected, of which 249 were medical students and 289 non-medical.

Results: The prevalence of burnout in medical and non-medical students were 27.3% and 20.1% respectively. Only the type of course (medical/ non-medical) showed a significant difference in burnout prevalence (odds ratio = 1.50, confidence interval: 1.00 - 2.23). The same was true when the type of course was adjusted towards age and gender in logistic regression analysis. No other demographic, socioeconomic and course-related factors showed significant associations with burnout prevalence.

Conclusion: The prevalence of burnout in both medical and non-medical students is high; the former being significantly higher than the latter. Therefore, appropriate measures should be taken to minimise the possibility of future quitting of professions, which will otherwise adversely affect the national economy and development.