Evaluation of Stress and Burnout Levels Among Health Care Students and Healthcare Professionals in Medical Colleges and Hospital Wards

Abstract

Background: Stress and burnout are increasingly recognized as major challenges in healthcare education and practice. Medical students, nursing students, dental students, and healthcare workers often face high workloads, emotional strain, and academic pressures.

Objective: To evaluate stress and burnout levels among healthcare students and healthcare workers in tertiary-level hospitals in India.

 Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 350 participants: 100 MBBS students and interns, 100 nursing students, 50 BDS students, and 100 healthcare workers (including nurses and technicians) across four tertiary hospitals in India. Standardized questionnaires — the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) — were administered.

Results: High stress levels were reported among MBBS students (68%) and nursing students (72%), compared to BDS students (54%) and healthcare workers (61%). Burnout prevalence was highest among healthcare workers (65%), followed by nursing students (62%), MBBS students (58%), and BDS students (46%). Emotional exhaustion was the most prominent burnout dimension across all groups.

 Conclusion: Stress and burnout are prevalent among both healthcare students and workers, with nursing students and healthcare workers being particularly vulnerable. Institutional interventions focusing on mental health support, workload management, and resilience training are urgently needed.