Background: Mental toughness is believed to be one of the key factors that may help resident physicians endure their training. Objective: Determine the mental toughness of resident physicians in a private tertiary hospital in Davao City, Philippines using the Mental Toughness Index. Methods: The researchers utilized the MTI and added open ended questions to identify positive and negative factors for the Resident’s MTI scores. The questionnaires were distributed to the residents using the online platform. The responses were recorded using the Likert scales and the short answers given were categorized as nominal data. Results: The study had 37 respondents out of 42 total residents with an over-all response rate of 88.09%. The survey showed that female residents have a significantly higher scores. Resident with the age of 31 years and above have greater scores than younger co-residents. The Departments of Surgery and Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB-GYNE) had the highest scores (50.4, SD, +/- 4.04 vs 50.4, SD, +/- 2.79) among all the clinical departments. The Department of Pediatrics had the lowest mean score of 43.67 (SD, +/- 4.39). The study showed that junior residents have the highest MTI mean scores (49, +/- 3.47) and the mid-level of trainees had the lowest mean MTI scores (46.10, SD +/- 3.51). Residents with previous residency training experience have higher mean scores (50.67, SD +/- 4.37). Support Group was the most cited positive factor identified by the trainees. On the other hand, Personal Reasons were the most frequent negative factor that affect their mental toughness. Conclusion The study showed female residents, residents aged greater than 31 years, Surgical and OB GYNE residents, Junior Residents and Residents with previous residency training have better MTI scores. Social support groups and personal reasons could positively and negatively impact in their mental toughness, respectively.
Mental Health