A Scoping Review of Studies on Stress and Burnout among Doctors in India

Abstract

Stress and burnout among doctors are a concern in the Indian healthcare system, as high patient loads, resource constraints, and system-related issues may lead to reduced quality of patient care. Although international studies explore healthcare worker stress and burnout, the unique challenges faced by doctors in India are underrepresented in the literature. This scoping review on stress and burnout among doctors in India aims to synthesize research findings on prevalence, contributors, coping mechanisms, and effects. A comprehensive literature search was done across the PubMed, EBSCO, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases, covering studies from 2000 to 2024. Data extraction included sample size, population characteristics, mental health issues investigated, study focus, and key findings. A descriptive synthesis and a thematic analysis were done. There was a high prevalence of stress and burnout, particularly among residents and specific specialties, such as anesthesiology and critical care, where prevalence rates exceeded 80%. Common contributors were long working hours, workload, lack of resources, and inadequate support systems. Psychiatric comorbidities such as anxiety and depression occur frequently, particularly among doctors of younger age and female gender. Common coping strategies used by doctors were exercise, social support, and substance use. Gender disparities suggest that females report higher frequency and severity of stress, attributed to additional societal expectations and work–life imbalance. Stress and burnout are prevalent and severe among doctors in India, with significant implications for healthcare outcomes. To address these issues, there is a need for more institutional support, mental health resources, policies promoting work–life balance, and resilience training.