Prevalence of Burnout and its Correlation with Depression and Anxiety in Physical Therapy Students During Clinical Rotation: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Burnout syndrome, caused by chronic stress, is a major health problem on the social and occupational fronts that manifests through emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced accomplishment. Originating in the 1970s, it is still widespread among professionals and students worldwide, especially in health care and academic settings. Among the main causes are heavy workloads, academic pressure, and sleep problems, with the condition being more common in women. The WHO has classified burnout as a disease, but it still causes plenty of psychological, social, and economic issues. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based therapies have proven to be the most effective in treatment and prevention. To eradicate burnout, a multidimensional plan that involves both individual and organization-wide efforts is necessary. Objective: The primary objective of this study is to find out the prevalence of burnout and its correlation with depression and anxiety in physical therapy students during clinical rotation. Methodology: The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to determine the prevalence of burnout among physical therapy students during their clinical rotations at different medical universities in Karachi, and to explore the relationships of burnout with anxiety and depression. Data was collected from 3rd to 5th year DPT students (Clinical Rotation going students). The participants were selected through a non-probability convenience sampling method, and a total of 370 subjects were enrolled. The data analysis was performed using SPSS version 29.0 with chi-square tests and descriptive statistics, considering a significance level of p< 0.05. Result: Burnout was frequent among 370 physical therapy students. with 39.2% reported high emotional exhaustion, 40% exhibiting high cynicism, and 37.3% having low academic efficacy. Psychological distress was also visible, with 23.8% suffering depression and 41.1% reporting anxiety, but stress levels remained relatively low (3.5%). Burnout aspects, notably exhaustion and cynicism, were significantly associated with depression and anxiety, although better academic efficacy proved to be protective. Demographic characteristics had little influence; however, age and gender were associated to certain burnout components. Overall, these findings show that physical therapy students face a significant burden of burnout and psychological discomfort during clinical rotations. Conclusion: Burnout is a significant issue among physiotherapy students, especially among females and younger students. It is characterized by emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and moderate academic efficacy, and is associated with mild psychological distress. Correlation analyses showed exhaustion was moderately linked to cynicism and weakly associated with depression, anxiety, and stress. The study's limitations include the cross-sectional design, convenience sampling, regional focus, and dependence on self-reported data. The findings highlight the significance of combining mental health assistance, stress management measures, and wellness programs in order to promote student well-being, academic achievement, and patient care.