Emotional Intelligence and Burnout Among Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Residents.

Background: Burnout syndrome is common among surgical residents, negatively affecting their mental health, physical wellbeing, and work performance. We investigated the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI) and burnout among Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck surgery residents. Methods: This cross-sectional study examined 51 residents across different Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck surgery programs at various hospitals in Saudi Arabia using a survey conducted between January 2021 and March 2021. The questionnaire had different validated measurements of burnout and included the Trait EI Questionnaire-Short Form, Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services survey, and questions regarding demographics and job satisfaction. Results: Of all the residents, 17.6% had a high risk of burnout, 39.2% had emotional exhaustion (EE), 29.4% had depersonalization (DP), and 43.1% had a low sense of personal accomplishment (PA). A statistically significant negative association was observed between the total EI score and EE (r = -0.577, p < 0.001) and DP (r = -0.765, p < 0.001), indicating that higher total EI scores were associated with lower EE levels. Conclusions: Positive associations existed between high levels of EI, PA, and satisfaction with both surgical skills and specialty choice. Therefore, residency programs should use EI modifiers as tools to reduce the risk of burnout.

Do various personal hygiene habits protect us against influenza-like illness?

BACKGROUND: Several studies have reported an association between improvements in hand hygiene and the reductions in rates of intestinal parasitic diseases. However, only a some have addressed its link to the frequency of influenza-like illness. The current study aimed to find the correlation between personal hygiene habits and the frequency of influenza-like illness. METHODS: A cross-sectional study targeting 3000 participants conducted in Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia. A systematic random sampling methodology was applied for participant from different part of Riyadh city using a computer generating system. The researcher first started by calling each participant. A full explanation was given to each participant in details (from the purpose of the research, consent to answer the questionnaire, to the explanation of the outcome definition). Each point of the questionnaire was explained to them to make sure they had excellent comprehension, and therefore, respond accurately. Descriptive statistics and Odds Ratio and its 95% confidence intervals were used to determine the association between frequency of influenza-like illness and the studied variables. RESULTS: Two thousand eighty-two (69.4%) completed the questionnaire. The participants who spent 5-10 s in handwashing with soap and rubbing were at increased risk of more frequent influenza-like illness (odds ratio = 1.37, 1.08-1.75). Handwashing with soap and rubbing after handshaking is an independent protective habit against frequent influenza-like illness (adjusted OR = 0.59, 0.37-0.94). CONCLUSION: The decrease of the frequency of influenza-like illness could be done through the following: getting the influenza vaccine annually, washing hands with soap and hand rubbing not less than 15 s after getting out of the bathroom, before and after handshaking and before eating. Soap companies should invent soaps that take less rubbing time to kill bacteria, and subsequently may maximize compliance in the community.