Medical training requires continuous self-improvement and dedication under challenging circumstances, often involving critical decisions that impact human lives. It is also a long and demanding career path (1). Prolonged working hours, night shifts, and frequent exposure to life-threatening patient situations contribute significantly to the psychological and emotional burden placed on physician (2). While many physicians are able to manage this kind of stress effectively, its cumulative impact inevitably affects their personal lives and overall well-being, sometimes leading to burnout (3, 4).

Burnout is defined by a triad of emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP), and reduced personal accomplishment (PA) (5). Individuals experiencing burnout typically exhibit diminished enthusiasm for their work, increased apathy toward social interactions, and a pervasive disengagement from both personal and professional responsibilities. The manifestation of these symptoms often coincides with dissatisfaction with job duties, frustration, and negative attitudes toward patients, colleagues, and one’s personal life (6, 7). Burnout primarily affects motivated and committed individuals who are deeply engaged in their professional duties. Owing to the consistently high-stress nature of clinical practice—characterized by continuous responsibility, time constraints, and substantial workloads—physicians are particularly vulnerable to burnout (8).

Nearly 40 to 75% of physicians may experience burnout at some point in their careers, suggesting that virtually all physicians are at risk of encountering this syndrome during their professional lives (3, 4). Training in obstetrics and gynaecology is associated with a higher risk of burnout compared to other specialties (9, 10). This specialty combines surgical complexity with critical prenatal care, encompassing responsibilities that range from intricate surgical procedures to holistic, emotionally sensitive support for pregnant individuals during the antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum periods (10). Expectations regarding maternal care are exceptionally high, with public and patient scrutiny—often emotionally charged—intensifying the stress and moral pressure placed on clinicians.

The study is conducted in order to assess the risk of physician burnout across all medical disciplines, particularly in obstetrics and gynaecology and among physicians in training or residency. It is hoped that the burden experienced by young residents will be alleviated by the findings of this study, and support will be provided during the demanding period of their training. Both healthcare systems and individual healthcare organisations should invest greater time and effort in implementing evidence-based measures, what we hope to underline within this systematic review.

The objective of the study was to evaluate existing research on the mental and emotional well-being of residents during their specialization in obstetrics and gynaecology, as well as their vulnerability to burnout risk factors.

The review included 16 studies involving physicians in obstetrics and gynaecology (13–27). Ten of these studies provided a comparison between residency in gynaecology and other specialties (14–17, 19, 21, 22, 26–28). In contrast, six studies did not clearly specify whether the comparison involved residency in gynaecology versus other residencies, or a general comparison between gynaecologists and physicians from other specialties (13, 18, 20, 23–25). The studies demonstrated overall high quality, encompassing 2,267 gynaecologists and 8,891 physicians from other specialties (13–28). The studies analysed come from 4 continents, as shown in Figure 2. A detailed description of the included studies is provided in Table 2. Studies that did not assess risk factors were also included and are presented in Table 1 and Figure 2.

Residents in obstetrics and gynaecology, compared with those in other medical specialties, exhibit higher levels of burnout and specific psychological vulnerabilities. Nazeema et al. reported an increased risk of burnout (RR 1.5, 95% CI: 1.1–2.1) (20), as did Nimer et al. (β = 9.66, CI: 3.59–15.73) (17). Similar associations were also identified by other authors (14–17, 19, 21, 22, 26–28). Burnout rates among obstetrics and gynaecology residents ranged from 46% to over 85%, with emotional exhaustion and depersonalization being particularly prominent (14, 15, 19, 21, 22). For example, Elhadi et al. (21) reported burnout in 86% of obstetrics and gynaecology residents in Sudan, while Agha et al. (16) found emotional exhaustion in 69% and depersonalization in 64% of a similar cohort in Saudi Arabia.

Most studies described obstetrics and gynaecology as one of the disciplines most susceptible to burnout (13–16, 18–27). Longer working hours were identified as a significant risk factor for physician burnout (19, 21, 23–25). This was typically defined as working more than 10 consecutive hours per day or over 40 h per week (14). Additional risk factors reported by Martini et al. (15), Cheng et al. (14), and Kashif et al. (23) included younger age, female gender, single marital status, lack of institutional support, and exposure to mistreatment.

Chen et al. (24) and Ye et al. (18) indicated that working conditions such as prolonged shifts, unsupportive hospital environments, and poor patient–physician relationships play critical roles in the development of burnout. Despite higher levels of personal accomplishment, the overall trend points to significant emotional strain (17). Furthermore, large-scale analyses conducted by Bourne et al. (20) and Gyorffy et al. (25) highlighted the association between burnout and suicidal ideation, depression, and increased intent to migrate among younger gynaecologists.

According to the present review, a significant proportion of physicians specializing in obstetrics and gynaecology experience burnout during their residency. Longer working hours (over 40 h per week) and prolonged shifts were identified as a significant risk factor for physician burnout. Additional risks included younger age, female gender, single marital status, lack of institutional support, unsupportive hospital environments, poor patient–physician relationships, and exposure to mistreatment. Moreover, we found an association between burnout and suicidal ideation, depression, and increased intent to migrate among younger gynaecologists.

The emergency nature of the specialty, irregular and extended working hours, including night shifts and on-call duties, are among the most predisposing factors for occupational burnout among obstetrics and gynaecology residents. A similar association has been observed among residents in anaesthesiology and emergency medicine (4, 22, 29). Prolonged working hours have been identified as a significant risk factor for burnout among physicians (19, 21, 23–25). This is typically defined as working more than 10 consecutive hours per day or over 40 h per week (14). A 2001 survey by Defoe et al. (30) reported that obstetrics and gynaecology trainees worked between 61 and 100 h per week. More recent findings by Nimer et al. (19) revealed that, despite improvements in working conditions, over 30% of residents still reported working more than 75 h per week. Moradi et al. (31) identified an elevated risk of occupational burnout among obstetrics and gynaecology residents, identifying analogous risk factors, including quantitative work overload, role conflicts connected to work, and inadequacies in employment resources. Nonetheless, the reliability of this comparison must be regarded with caution, given that the overall quality of the research incorporated in their systematic analysis was rather low. Our evaluation primarily focused on recently published articles. It included studies utilising various tools for assessing burnout levels, such as the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI) and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI).

Extended working hours often stem from systemic issues such as inadequate staffing, inefficient workflows, and excessive administrative burdens. These factors can exacerbate clinicians’ feelings of being unsupported amid overwhelming demands, thereby intensifying workplace stress. According to studies by Nimer et al. (19), Martini et al. (15), Ironside et al. (26), and Gyorffy et al. (25), experiencing personal stress is significantly associated with an increased risk of burnout.

Burnout symptoms are most commonly observed in younger physicians with limited clinical experience, particularly those in the early stages of their training (14, 15, 22, 23). According to Bourne et al. (20), greater professional experience, older age, and progression within a specialty have been identified as protective factors. Over time, colleagues often develop more effective coping strategies like physical activity or emotional and physical distancing from work, enabling them to manage stress more successfully and reduce their vulnerability to burnout (32).

The organizational culture in many healthcare institutions may foster competitive dynamics, hierarchical barriers, and poor communication—factors that undermine mutual trust and collegial support. Cheng et al. (14) and Martini et al. (15) further report that dissatisfaction with the work environment, as well as experiences of mistreatment in the workplace, are key psychosocial risk factors for burnout. The specific demands of the field, particularly extended work hours and night shifts, combined with insufficient psychosocial support, strained interpersonal relationships, and systemic inefficiencies, significantly contribute to stress, emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced professional efficacy (4, 33). These core components of burnout contribute to frustration and decreased professional efficacy.

Physician burnout is associated with compromised patient care across various stages of healthcare delivery. Our findings indicate that physicians experiencing burnout are more likely to be involved in patient safety incidents, deliver substandard care due to diminished professionalism, and receive lower patient satisfaction ratings. Depersonalization appears to have the most detrimental impact on the quality and safety of patient care, as well as on patient satisfaction. Physicians exhibiting these symptoms are more prone to diminished patience, empathy, and energy, which undermines the quality of patient care and weakens the patient–physician relationship. Research by Chen et al. (24), Ironside et al. (26), and Ye et al. (18) has identified strained interpersonal relationships—both between physicians and patients, and among workplace colleagues—as significant risk factors for burnout and as consequences of its progression. Relational difficulties within the clinical environment may not only contribute to the onset of burnout but also exacerbate its symptoms, thereby creating a self-perpetuating cycle of professional and psychological decline.

In addition to impaired psychosocial relationships with both patients and colleagues, young physicians face other serious challenges associated with burnout, including suicidal ideation, depression, and an increased propensity to emigrate among younger gynaecologists (20, 25). Moreover, physicians experiencing burnout frequently report a diminished sense of professional identity, reduced confidence in their problem-solving abilities, and feelings of isolation and misunderstanding. Research by Nazeema et al. (22) and Chen et al. (24) highlights that a personal or family history of psychiatric disorders even more predisposes individuals to burnout during residency. A psychiatric history, whether personal or familial, can increase susceptibility to the recurrence of mental health disorders and the emergence of new psychiatric symptoms during periods of prolonged psychological stress and overwhelming circumstances (34). The majority of the studies analysed identified obstetrics and gynaecology as one of the disciplines most susceptible to burnout (13–16, 18–27). However, Prins et al. (17) found that obstetricians and gynaecologists reported significantly higher levels of personal accomplishment compared to psychiatrists. Despite relatively high levels of personal accomplishment, symptoms of occupational and personal burnout, particularly in the context of inadequate psychosocial relationships, are associated with considerable emotional strain (17).

Psychosocial factors play a critical role in the development of occupational burnout. Poor psychosocial conditions are partly a consequence of limited time for recovery and social engagement, often resulting from prolonged work shifts that may leave inadequate time for family life, personal interests, or professional development. According to studies by Nimer et al. (19), Martini et al. (15), Ironside et al. (26), and Gyorffy et al. (25), being single is a risk factor for burnout among present groups. As previously noted, the absence of a fulfilling personal life and limited opportunities for recovery outside of work are closely associated with reduced professional satisfaction, which can contribute to the onset of burnout.

Considering the geographical distribution of the studies presented, four were conducted in the United States (13–15, 26, 27). The private social insurance system in the United States may constitute an additional cause of occupational burnout (35). The necessity to adapt appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic methods to the patient’s financial means may constitute a strong stressor. The clash between the idealistic assumptions held during academic training and the realities of the healthcare system functioning may contribute to significant psychological distortions among young physicians. Another contributing factor is the high rate of litigation observed in the United States, which contributes to increased anxiety, diminished job satisfaction, and defensive behaviour among physicians (36). Numerous studies have also been conducted in Muslim-majority countries (Pakistan, Sudan, Jordan, Saudi Arabia), where medical law is grounded in strict Muslim legislation, which may involve the risk of imprisonment in the event of a patient’s death (16, 19, 21, 23). In line with this theory, the highest rate of burnout, exceeding 80%, was observed in traditional Islamic contexts such as Sudan and Saudi Arabia (16, 21). On the other hand, the lowest prevalence of occupational burnout was observed among residents in the Netherlands (13%), where a quite liberal blame-and-shame system for medical error and a national health insurance system prevails- findings which may corroborate the previously presented theory (17).

This research highlights burnout as a critical issue during medical training, with increased prevalence among obstetrics and gynaecology residents. The findings underscore the urgent need for coordinated legislative initiatives and both systematic and institutional solutions to prioritise the well-being of physicians, particularly those in obstetrics and gynaecology training. A range of strategies must be explored to protect physicians’ mental health and reduce the risk of burnout. The well-being and sustainability of the medical workforce—as well as the quality and safety of patient care—depend on a comprehensive approach to addressing burnout.