Student Research and Practical Clubs as a Factor in Professional Development and Burnout Resistance Among Surgical Physicians (Aesculap)

June 29, 2026 updated by: I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University

Student Research and Practical Clubs and Research Activities as a Factor in Professional Development and Burnout Resistance Among Surgical Physicians

This cross-sectional study included a cross-sectional survey of 100 surgeons who participated in the student research and practice club "Aesculap" while studying at Sechenov University over a 20-year period (from 2005 to 2025). Psychological burnout was assessed using the MBI questionnaire in 96 respondents. Engagement indicators (duration, activity) were combined into an integrated activity index using a principal component analysis. Multiple linear regression analysis and Spearman's rank correlation analysis were used.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Detailed Description

This observational, cross-sectional study was conducted by the Department of Pedagogy and Medical Psychology and the Department of Operative Surgery and Topographical Anatomy at Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University from November 2025 to April 2026.

A cross-sectional survey of 100 surgeons who had previously participated in the Eskulap student research and practical club was conducted during their 20-year studies at Sechenov University from 2005 to 2025.

Adults (23-43 years old) who graduated from Sechenov University, participated in the Student Scientific and Practical Club "Aesculap" during their 2005-2026 graduation years, and who signed voluntary informed consent were eligible to participate in the study. Exclusion criteria included incomplete questionnaires or refusal to participate in the study.

The final sample included 100 respondents (after excluding blank questionnaires) - graduates of the Scientific and Practical Club from 2005 to 2025. 96 participants of whom underwent psychological testing for burnout.

All participants were informed of the study's aims and objectives and provided voluntary written informed consent. Data collection was anonymous, and confidentiality was guaranteed.

To diagnose emotional burnout, we used the Russian-adapted version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), validated on a Russian sample [Vodopyanova, N.E.; Starchenkova, E.S.; Nasledov, A.D. Standartizirovannyi oprosnik "Professional'noe vygoranie" dlya spetsialistov sotsionomicheskikh professii. Vestnik Sankt-Peterburgskogo universiteta. Sotsiologiya 2013, (4). (In Russ.) Available online: https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/standartizirovannyy-oprosnik-professionalnoe-vygoranie-dlya-spetsialistov-sotsionomicheskih-professiy (accessed on June 21, 2026).]. The questionnaire included 22 statements, which respondents rated based on the frequency of their experiences, ranging from 0 ("never") to 6 ("every day"). Values were calculated using three scales: "Emotional Exhaustion," "Depersonalization," and "Reduction in Professional Achievement." A specially designed questionnaire was used to collect data. It included sociodemographic questions (gender, age, and total work experience since graduation) and a set of questions characterizing student engagement in research: duration of membership in the SSC (in years), number of surgical competitions and scientific events during their studies (as an indicator of activity), and a subjective assessment of the impact of SSC membership on their professional career on a scale from 1 (no impact at all) to 10 (absolutely true). Additionally, current medical specialty, academic degree, job title, and involvement in research and/or clinical work were specified, allowing us to describe the professional status of graduates.

Involvement indicators (duration, activity) were combined into an integral activity index using the principal component analysis. Multiple linear regression analysis and Spearman's rank correlation analysis were used.

A priori sample size calculation was performed using GPower 3.1.9.7 for multiple linear regression (Fixed model, R² deviation from zero). Based on a medium effect size f² = 0.15 (Cohen, 1988), α = 0.05, power = 0.80, and 5 predictors (gender, age, work experience, duration and intensity of SSC participation), the required sample size was 92. Allowing for 15% dropout, we aimed to recruit at least 106 participants. The final analysis included 96 respondents who completed the MBI, which exceeds the minimum requirement and ensures adequate statistical power.

Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, multiple linear regression, Spearman's rank correlation, and principal component analysis (PCA). The PCA was used to create an integrated activity index combining duration and intensity of SSC participation. Regression models were built for each MBI subscale. Effect sizes were calculated using Cohen's f².

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Actual)

100

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Russia
      • Moscow, Russia, 119048
        • I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University)
      • Moscow, Russia, 119991
        • Petrovsky National Research Center of Surgery

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population comprised graduates of Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University who participated in the Student Scientific and Practical Club "Aesculap" during their undergraduate studies over a 20-year period (2005-2025). All participants were surgeons aged 23-43 years. A total of 100 graduates were surveyed, and 96 completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory, forming the final analytic sample.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Age 23-43 years;
  2. Completed medical education;
  3. Graduated from Sechenov University from 2005-2025;
  4. Participated in the student scientific and practical club Aesculap;
  5. Signed a voluntary informed consent to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Incomplete questionnaires
  2. Refusal to participate in the study.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Depersonalization subscale score of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI)
Time Frame: At enrollment (baseline, single assessment)
The MBI Depersonalization subscale consists of 5 items, each rated from 0 ("never") to 6 ("every day"). Total score ranges from 0 to 30. Higher scores indicate greater depersonalization (cynical and detached attitude). Levels: low (0-5), moderate (6-10), high (11 and above).
At enrollment (baseline, single assessment)
Emotional Exhaustion subscale score of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI)
Time Frame: At enrollment (baseline, single assessment)
The MBI Emotional Exhaustion subscale consists of 9 items, each rated from 0 ("never") to 6 ("every day"). Total score ranges from 0 to 54. Higher scores indicate greater emotional exhaustion. Levels: low (0-15), moderate (16-24), high (25 and above).
At enrollment (baseline, single assessment)
Reduced Personal Accomplishment subscale score of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI)
Time Frame: At enrollment (baseline, single assessment)
The MBI Reduced Personal Accomplishment subscale consists of 8 items, each rated from 0 ("never") to 6 ("every day"). Total score ranges from 0 to 48. This scale is inverted: lower scores indicate greater reduction in personal accomplishment (i.e., less satisfaction with professional efficacy). Levels: low reduction (37 and above), moderate (31-36), high reduction (30 and below).
At enrollment (baseline, single assessment)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Head of Department Position
Time Frame: At enrollment (single assessment)
Presence or absence of a position as head of department. Self administered questionnaire (yes/no)
At enrollment (single assessment)
Presence or Absence of Research Work
Time Frame: At enrollment (single assessment)
Current engagement in research activities. Self administered questionnaire (yes/no).
At enrollment (single assessment)
Subjective Assessment of SSC Impact on Career Progression
Time Frame: At enrollment (single assessment)
Participants rated the perceived influence of their Student Scientific Club (SSC) membership on their professional career on a 10 point Likert scale, from 1 (no influence at all) to 10 (extremely influential). Self administered.
At enrollment (single assessment)

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Helpful Links

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

November 1, 2025

Primary Completion (Actual)

April 25, 2026

Study Completion (Actual)

April 25, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

June 29, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 29, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

July 6, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

July 6, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 29, 2026

Last Verified

June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 1525-2026
  • №9 from 17.10.2025 (Other Identifier: LEC of Petrovsky NRCS)

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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