بكالوريوس / Bachelor's

Background: Burnout is highly prevalent among health care professionals and directly affects patient care quality and safety through its association with declining professional conduct. While previous studies have documented burnout among Sudanese health care professionals in Khartoum and Wad-Medani, to our knowledge no study has examined this issue — or its relationship with professionalism — in the Northern State, despite health care professionals there facing even greater resource constraints and professional isolation. Research Objectives: To determine the socio-demographic and occupational characteristics of health care professionals working in Northern State hospitals. To measure the prevalence and level of burnout (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment). To evaluate the level of professionalism among health care professionals. To examine the association between burnout and professionalism. To identify predictors of burnout among health care professionals working in Northern State hospitals. Methodology: An institutional-based, analytical cross-sectional study will be conducted in government hospitals in Dongola, the capital of the Northern State, including the Specialized Hospital, Police Hospital, Women and Obstetrics Hospital, and Diabetes Hospital. The study will target all health care professionals (physicians, nurses, and other allied health staff) currently working in these hospitals, using a total coverage (census) approach where feasible. Data will be collected via a self-administered, structured questionnaire comprising three sections: socio-demographic and occupational characteristics; the Maslach Burnout Inventory – Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS); and the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Professionalism Assessment Tool. Data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Chi-square test, and logistic regression to identify independent predictors of burnout (p < 0.05). Expected Outcomes: This study will provide the first evidence base on burnout and its relationship with professionalism among health care professionals in the Northern State, filling a key gap in the national literature. The findings will help hospital administrators and health policymakers understand the hidden professional and ethical costs of unaddressed burnout, and will guide the design of targeted interventions — such as workload redistribution, mental health support, and professionalism training — to protect both health care professionals' well-being and patient care standards. The study will also provide baseline evidence for future longitudinal and interventional research in Sudan.

Protection Measures (Ethical Considerations) Ethical Approval: Ethical approval will be obtained from the Research Ethics Committee, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Dongola. Official Permissions: Official permission will be obtained from the State Ministry of Health and the administration of each participating hospital before data collection begins. Informed Consent: Written informed consent will be obtained from each health care professional prior to enrollment in the study. Voluntary Participation: Participation will be entirely voluntary, and health care professionals may withdraw at any time without any negative consequences. Confidentiality and Anonymity: Confidentiality and anonymity of health care professionals' data will be strictly maintained throughout the study.

This study poses minimal risk to participants. As it involves only a self-administered questionnaire with no physical procedures or medical intervention, no physical harm is anticipated

There are no direct material benefits to individual participants. However, participants may benefit indirectly through increased self-awareness regarding their own burnout and professionalism levels, which could encourage early help-seeking behavior. Benefits to the Health Care System and Community: This study will provide the first evidence base on burnout and its association with professionalism among health care professionals in the Northern State, filling a critical gap in the national literature. Findings will help hospital administrators and health policymakers understand the hidden professional and ethical costs of unaddressed burnout among their workforce. Results will guide the design of targeted interventions — such as workload redistribution, mental health support programs, and professionalism training — to protect health care professionals' well-being and improve patient care standards. The study will provide baseline evidence for future longitudinal and interventional research in Sudan, supporting evidence-based health workforce policies. Ultimately, by addressing burnout and strengthening professionalism, the findings may contribute to improved patient safety and quality of care in Northern State hospitals.