January 2026, Volume 4, Issue 1

Author

Manjunath M E, Nithesh Balakrishnan and Hareesh Kumar R

Abstract

Background: Medical students are consistently subjected to psychosocial stresses during their training, which can result in burnout, a condition characterised by emotional, mental, and physical weariness due to severe and protracted stress. Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence and associated factors of burnout among medical students at a tertiary medical college. Methodology: A descriptive study was conducted in a tertiary Medical college after obtaining institutional ethical approval and informed consent. The Copenhagen Burnout Inventory Scale was used to determine the prevalence and correlates of burnout related to patients, work, and personal life. After being imported into Excel, the data was sent to SPSS version 25 for analysis. Chi-square was employed as a test of hypothesis, and frequencies for demographic variables were computed using proportions. Results: The study found a high prevalence of burnout among medical students, especially first-year students, with personal burnout at 33.33% and work-related burnout at 48.48%. Female students, those living away from family, and students lacking regular exercise showed higher burnout levels. Patient-related burnout was generally lower but increased with academic year, peaking in final-year students due to clinical exposure. Exercise showed a protective effect across all burnout types, while smoking and alcohol use had a modest impact. The findings align with global studies, indicating burnout is multifactorial and influenced by lifestyle, support systems, and academic demands. Conclusion: The study concludes that burnout is highly prevalent among medical students, particularly among females, first-year students, and those lacking familial or physical support. Regular exercise and living with family appear to be protective factors. Institutional reforms and targeted interventions are essential to reduce burnout and support student well-being.