Introduction:

Residency is a period in the training of the doctor very different from what was learned at the university level.

Objective:

evaluate the effect of physical activity in pediatric residents regarding Burnout Syndrome.

Materials and Methods:

This was a non-randomized controlled intervention study. Pediatric residents were assigned to receive Zumba classes 2 hours per week for 10 weeks (study group) or no intervention (control group). Burnout Syndrome was measured using the Maslach Burnout Inventory questionnaire pre and post intervention in both groups. Other variables studied were: age, gender, physical and social activity, family structure and years of residence. The data were analyzed with SPSS. An alpha error of less than 5% was considered. The protocol was approved by the ethics committee of the hospital, with participants’ consent.

Results:

47 residents participated, 23 in the study group and 24 in the control group. Pre-intervention Burnout Syndrome was 52.2% and 37.5% in the study group and the control group, respectively, p = 0.31. After the intervention it was 17.4% and 45.8% in the study and control group respectively. OR: 0.25 (95% CI 0.65 -0.9) p = 0.03. The absolute benefit was 35% and the number needed to treat 2.8.

Conclusions:

Physical exercise for 2 hours a week alleviated burnout syndrome in Pediatric residents, with an absolute benefit of 35%.

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