EPV106 - Digital Addiction and Occupational Health in Medical Residency
EPV106
Digital Addiction and Occupational Health in Medical Residency
N. Rmadi 1,*, R. Affes 2, A. Kchaou 1, F. Dhouib 1, M. Hajjaji 1, K. Jmal Hammami 1
1Occupational medicine department, Hedi Chaker university hospital , 2Family medecine department, Faculty of medecine of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
Introduction: Digital addiction among medical residents may compromise both professional efficiency and psychological well-being. Understanding its occupational health implications is essential for designing preventive strategies.
Objectives: To assess the occupational health implications of digital addiction among medical residents and examine its impact on work performance and psychosocial well-being.
Methods: A nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2025 among 429 residents from Tunisia’s four medical faculties. Data included personality traits (BFI-20), smartphone and social media addiction (SAS-SV, BSMAS), and work performance (IWPQ). Associations and mediation models were analyzed.
Results: Conscientiousness was the strongest predictor of high work performance (β=0.488, p<0.001). However, its protective role was significantly attenuated by social media addiction (indirect effect β=–0.141, p=0.002). Nearly half of residents were addicted to smartphones and one in four to social media, with addiction linked to lower performance and higher counterproductive behaviors.
Conclusions: Digital addiction represents an emerging occupational health risk in residency training. Preventive interventions—such as digital hygiene workshops, smartphone-free clinical environments, and psychosocial support—are needed to protect residents’ performance and well-being. Integrating these measures into occupational health policies could help sustain efficiency and patient safety.
Disclosure of Interest: None Declared