Contextualizing the Conscientiousness Index Tool and Correlating Burnout with Conscientiousness Index as a measure of Professionalism in Postgraduate Students

Shamila Tasneem; Usman Mahboob; Lubna Ansari Baig; Rehan  Ahmed khan

doi:10.12669/pjms.41.3.10906

Shamila Tasneem Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore https://orcid.org/0009-0006-9672-0265
Usman Mahboob Institute of Health Professions Education & Research, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar, Pakistan
Lubna Ansari Baig University College of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Lahore
Rehan Ahmed khan Islamic International Medical College, Riphah International University, Islamabad

DOI: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.41.3.10906

Keywords: Burnout, conscientiousness, conscientiousness index, professionalism, postgraduate residents (PGR), postgraduate medical education

Abstract

Objective: To contextualize the Conscientiousness Index and determine the relationship between burnout and the Conscientiousness Index as a measure of professionalism in postgraduate students.

Methods: This mixed-method study was done in two phases in Lahore from September 2023 to July 2024. The first phase involved contextualization of the Conscientiousness Index (CI) tool. A literature review, feedback from consultants and staff, identification of data sources, expert validation, and cognitive pretesting were conducted to contextualize the CI tool. In the second phase, a correlational study was done by collecting data using a purposive sampling technique (n=134). The CI scores were calculated from administrative records and clinical staff input. Burnout levels were assessed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory, which has three main constructs: Emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP), and personal accomplishment (PA). Burnout and CI scores were compiled and analyzed using SPSS v26.0. The t-test, one-way ANOVA, Chi-square test, and Pearson’s correlation were used for data analysis.

Results: A six-item CI scale was contextualized with S-CVI (0.89) and CVR >0.62. Mild burnout was found in 63 (47%) participants, while 71 (53%) exhibited moderate-to-severe burnout. The overall mean CI score was 42.1 ± 5.96 (total score: 50). No significant association was found between burnout and CI scores. However, a moderate negative correlation was observed between EE and CI scores (r=-0.69), and a weak positive correlation (0.19) was found between PA and CI scores, which was statistically significant (p = 0.02).

Conclusion: The CI tool had good validity in the local context. There was a high prevalence of burnout among postgraduate students. No statistically significant association was found between burnout severity and CI scores. However, a weak correlation was found between burnout domains and CI scores. Further research is required to understand this weak correlation and validation of CI tool in different settings.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.41.3.10906

How to cite this: Tasneem S, Mahboob U, Baig LA, Khan RA. Contextualizing the Conscientiousness Index Tool and Correlating Burnout with Conscientiousness Index as a measure of Professionalism in Postgraduate Students. Pak J Med Sci. 2025;41(3):827-831. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.41.3.10906

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Author Biographies

Shamila Tasneem, Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore

MBBS, FCPS, MME(Scholar), Senior Registrar, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore. University of Lahore.

Usman Mahboob, Institute of Health Professions Education & Research, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar, Pakistan

MBBS, MPH, DHPE (UK), FHEA (UK), Fellow FAIMER (USA), Associate Professor, Institute of Health Professions Education & Research, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar, Pakistan.

Lubna Ansari Baig, University College of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Lahore

MBBS, MPH, MMED, FCPS, PhD, Director PhD program, University College of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Lahore, Pakistan.

Rehan Ahmed khan, Islamic International Medical College, Riphah International University, Islamabad

MBBS, FCPS, FRCS, MME, MSc, PhD, Dean of Riphah Institute of Assessment and HOD professor of Surgery, Islamic International Medical College, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan.