This study aimed (1) to determine the prevalence of burnout among neurology residents during the COVID-19 pandemic, (2) to investigate possible associations between burnout and sociodemographic and work characteristics, and (3) to explore residents’ perceptions on how to address physician burnout.

Physician burnout has significant negative impacts on patient care particularly during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Neurology residents are particularly vulnerable to burnout because of the novel logistical and clinical challenges brought about by the pandemic. Despite its implications, knowledge on burnout and its predictors among neurology residents is lacking.

We conducted a cross-sectional pen-and-paper survey among all 120 residents from the nine institutions in the Philippines offering neurology residency programs from March to August 2020. We obtained sociodemographic and work characteristics using questionnaire. We measured burnout using the Maslach Burnout Inventory. We performed an inductive thematic analysis to analyze perceptions on how to reduce burnout.

The response rate was 71.67%. The majority (74.4%) were from government institutions and the average age is 30.1 years. Using predefined cutoff scores, the prevalence of burnout is 86.04%. The lack of compensation and the number of on-duty days per week were predictive of high emotional exhaustion scores. The number of on-duty days appears to be a protective factor for depersonalization. The number of outpatient clinic duties in a week is significantly correlated with personal accomplishment scores. Thematic analysis revealed five themes: (1) increasing manpower; (2) self-care; (3) reducing non-clinical tasks; (4) improving work environment; and (5) adequate compensation.

The prevalence of burnout among neurology residents during COVID-19 pandemic is alarmingly high (approximately 9 out of 10 residents). Thus, reforms in hiring policies, work-hour management, administrative manpower organization to include clerical personnel, work environment, and logistical support are imperative.