ANALYSIS OF THE LEARNING CLIMATE AND BURNOUT ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG NEUROSURGICAL TRAINEES IN MOROCCO: - A NATIONAL SURVEY BASED STUDY -

Objective: To evaluate the learning climate and the specific risk factors for burnout among neurosurgery residents and young neurosurgeons in Morocco. Methods: A questionnaire was designed and sent to all neurosurgery residents and young neurosurgeons (early career physicians of less than 5 years practice), belonging to the six university hospitals and to neurosurgery departments in level two hospitals. The survey examined the overall satisfaction rates, burnout rates (through the Maslach Burnout Inventory - MBI), and the learning climate (through the Deutch Residency Educational Climate Test - D-rect). Results: 44 answers were received out of 212 e-mails sent. Of the respondents, 77.3% were in a burnout state according to the MBI, and nearly half of them (47.7%) were experiencing a low personal achievement state. Although a trend towards a lower personal achievement in young residents was observed (p=0.188), no statistical significance was seen between the two populations or inside the residents' population. Participants to the survey responded with low satisfaction rates regarding the work/life balance (18,2%), quality of life (22,7%), working environment (27%), future perspectives (14,9%), and salary (6,8%). The D-rect scores showed a positive feedback throughout the participants, suggesting a favorable learning climate. Conclusions: Burnout risks tend to be multifactorial, and our study showed that despite a favorable learning climate, the impact of the very low satisfaction rates expressed regarding the working environment, the work/life balance, the future perspectives and the salary led to the high burnout rates observed among participants.