OBJECTIVE : During the course of medical education, residents are subjected to the pressure and intensity of their curriculum. Social, emotional, physical and family issues that were faced by residents may affect their academic performance and learning abilities. The purpose of this study was to assess the residents` quality of life-based on WHO-QOL-BREF protocol.
METHOD : This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2019. Samples were all pediatric residents in Sam Ratulangi University Manado. Copies of the questionnaires were sent to all residents and they were given free time to complete the questionnaire independently. ANOVA was used to compare quality of life (QoL) results among residents.
RESULTS : A total of 66 pediatric residents from different academic years participated in this study. In the characteristics of the study sample, most prevalent age group was 30-34 years (39 residents (59.1%)). Forty one women participated (62.1%). The number of residents living in boarding house was 39 (59.1%) while the number of residents whose studies were financed by parents was 49 (74.2%). Forty nine residents (74.2%) have average quality of life at physical health domain, and good for the psychological, social relationship, and environment domains (53%, 57.6%, and 57.6%, respectively). Scores, according to different academic years and age, were significantly different in the psychological domain (p = 0.003, 0.01; respectively). Third and fourth year pediatric residents have lower QoL score in psychological domain than earlier year residents. There was no significant difference between the overall quality of life score with gender, marital status, number of children, type of residence, and source of funding (p> 0.05).
CONCLUSION : The pediatric residents have an average-good QoL. Academic years and age were significantly associated in the psychological domains. Third and fourth year pediatric residents have lower QoL score in psychological domain.