CHANDIGARH: A recent survey conducted at the PGI has unveiled a severe burnout crisis among resident doctors, the backbone of the institution’s healthcare delivery. The study, which surveyed 462 residents across 38 departments, reveals that the gruelling work culture – marked by extreme hours and chronic fatigue – is pushing many of these medical professionals to their breaking point, raising critical concerns for patient safety.Around 80% of surveyed residents report working more than 60 hours weekly, with 46% logging over 80 hours per week. This schedule, combined with high patient volumes, frequently results in doctors working continuously for 24 to 30 hours, often without adequate rest or regular weekly offs.The survey found that the doctors face extreme mental exhaustion, sleep disturbances and a persistent inability to balance clinical duties with academic training. Many doctors disclosed that they often skip meals and feel rushed while providing patient care, symptoms of an overburdened system where staffing shortages force residents to fill the gap.Nearly half of the participants, 48.70%, reported normal stress levels, while 16.45% experienced mild stress and 17.75% of respondents reported moderate stress.Additionally, 12.77% of residents reported severe stress and 4.33% of them reportedly experienced extremely severe stress. In terms of anxiety, 30.30% of the residents reported normal levels, whereas 14.50% experienced mild anxiety and 19.26% reported moderate anxiety.
