Publication date: Jul 21, 2026
This study examined temporal changes in burnout and working environments among Japanese resident physicians across the COVID-19 period and the preparation and implementation phases of the national workstyle reform. Furthermore, it assesses associated changes in their working environments. This study was conducted as a multicentre repeated cross-sectional study. Data were used from the General Medicine In-Training Examination surveys conducted in 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024. Participants included postgraduate year 1 (PGY-1) and PGY-2 residents across Japan. Data on working hours, emergency duties, inpatient load, self-study time and burnout were collected through standardised questionnaires. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to assess associations between workstyle reform phases and burnout, adjusting for demographic and institutional characteristics. Altogether, 25 368 residents participated (6816 in 2020; 6063 in 2022; 6584 in 2023; 5905 in 2024). Burnout prevalence was the highest during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 (21. 7%), which decreased to 13. 3% in 2024. Weekly working hours of ≥80 hours declined from 19. 9% to 2. 3%, and those working
Open Access PDF
Semantics
| Type | Source | Name |
|---|---|---|
| disease | MESH | COVID-19 |
| disease | MESH | included |
| disease | MESH | emergency |
| drug | DRUGBANK | Coenzyme M |
| disease | MESH | Burnout Professional |