1Dr. Syed Muhammad Akram, 2Prof. Dr. Azfar Farogh, 3Dr. Asma Hassan, 4Dr. Naima Anwar, 5Dr. Nadeem Razzaq, 6Dr. Rabia Malik
Submission: 15 December 2025 | Acceptance: 10 January 2026 | Publication: 07 February 2026,
1CMH Lahore medical college Lahore
2Professor and Dean, Shahida Islam Medical College Lodhran
3Assistant Professor Pulmonology, Shahida Islam Medical College Lodhran
4Associate Professor Forensic Medicine, Shahida Islam Medical College Lodhran
5Associate Professor Medical Education, Rai Medical College Sargodha
6Assistant Professor Medical Education, M. Islam Medical College Gujranwala
ABSTRACT:
Background: Burnout and worsening mental health has become a major issue for medical students, even affecting academic work, professional growth and generally one’s wellbeing. Academic stress, many study hours, and emotional exhaustion are some of the stressors reported in medical education.
Aim: This research was focused on establishing the prevalence of burnout and mental health concerns among medical students, discovering correlating predictors, and assessing the effectiveness of institutional measures in terms of burnout and mental health protection and help.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out at Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, for the period of 12 months from May 2024 to April 2025. The present study utilised stratified random sampling whereby 90 medical students were recruited. Results were acquired using validated questionnaires such as; the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21). Descriptive statistical analysis was used to determine significant predictors and institutional measures.
Results: The rates of burnout witnessed among the participants was 58.9 % and this was with emotional exhaustion leading (71.1 %). Mental issues also took the center stage with 46.7% of students exhibiting signs of depression, 42.2% suffering from anxiety as well as 38.9% having high levels of stress. Academic workload (p<0.01), absence of social support (p=0.02), and sleep deprivation (p<0.05) were found to be important predictors of burnouts. Students listed institutional strategies such as helping via peer support programs and mental health counseling as helpful in disease mitigation of burnout by 61.1%.
Conclusion: Burnout and mental health issues were very common among medical students. A number of modifiable risk factors were found which necessitates immediate, institution-wide support strategies development. Early wellness programs aimed at students can considerably improve students’ well-being as well as academic success.
Keywords: Burnout, Medical Students, Mental Health, Predictors, Prevalence, Institutional Strategies, Depression, Anxiety, Stress.