[Burnout syndrome: prevalence and associated factors among workers in a district hospital]

Exploring the challenges and needs of home caregivers of hemodialysis patients in the Philippines: A mixed methods study

OBJECTIVES

Although the importance of home caregivers of chronic kidney disease patients has been increasingly recognized, their perceived caregiving difficulties and requisites remain underexplored. This study investigated the challenges and needs of home caregivers of hemodialysis patients in the Philippines.

METHODS

We utilized a mixed-method (QUAN + qual), explanatory sequential design. Data were collected from July 2017 to May 2018 from 46 home caregivers of hemodialysis patients. A three-part researcher-made survey were developed from literature search, personal values and cultural context, while some items were generated from a standardized tool that measures caregiver infrastructure and needs of those caring from frail US veterans. The tool developed gathered the participants' profile, caregiving characteristics, and related needs. The tool was validated and pretested for reliability. Fifteen participants were also interviewed to explore caregiving challenges and needs. Descriptive and χ² statistics were used for quantitative outcomes, while thematic analysis was employed for qualitative data.

RESULTS

Participants provided moderate assistance to patients, spending an average of 10.65 h/day and 5.08 days/week in caregiving. The most difficult caregiving circumstances were having costly expenses (78.26%); missing work (50.00%); and experiencing negative feelings (47.83%), stress (43.48%), and physical difficulties (34.78%). They also had the lowest confidence in deciding when to contact health providers (x̅ = 3.31, SD = 0.94) and finding patient care services (x̅ = 2.93, SD = 1.08). Qualitative findings further revealed caregiving needs and challenges in cost management, physical and psychological health, assumption of multiple roles, lifestyle adjustment, and reinforcement of carer knowledge, skills, and attitudes.

CONCLUSION

Supportive strategies are needed to address the challenges encountered by home caregivers of hemodialysis patients. Findings can be utilized in developing appropriate interventions for home caregivers in low-resource settings where home caregiving and healthcare system issues, such as lack of access to resources and social support, are prevalent.

Burnout in the staff of a chronic care hospital

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the prevalence of Burnout in a medium or long-stay hospital, to monitor its evolution and to highlight the importance of cut-off points used to avoid distortions in the interpretation of the results.

METHODS

Two cross-sectional studies (2013–2016) were carried out, applying the Spanish version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory to the staff of a chronic care hospital (n = 323). Result variables were: Burnout prevalence and a high degree of affectation of the subscales and predictor variables: sociodemographic characteristics and factors that trigger and modulate the syndrome. The association between variables was quantified using odds ratio.

RESULTS

The participation rate went from 31.5% to 39.3%. The professionals presented a mean level of Burnout in both moments, observing a lower degree of affectation of the depersonalization subscales and personal accomplishment in the 2016 cut-off. The average score of the subscales in 2016 was 21.5 for emotional fatigue, 4.7 for depersonalization and 41.7 for personal fulfillment, compared to the values of emotional fatigue = 21.6, depersonalization = 6.9 and personal fulfillment = 36.3 obtained in 2013. The emotional fatigue score was slightly higher than the mean value of the national studies (19.9), while the rest of the values were similar to the mean values of the studies considered. The prevalence of Burnout and the interpretation of the results varied significantly according to the cut-off points considered. In both studies, sociodemographic variables showed little significance, while social support and interpersonal relationships were associated with the degree of burnout among professionals.

CONCLUSIONS

Our prevalence of Burnout was similar to that of other studies consulted, although the emotional component is more marked in our environment. The interpretation of the results varied significantly according to the cut-off points applied, due to the cross-cultural differences.

Burnout in Health Professionals According to Their Self-Esteem, Social Support and Empathy Profile

Introduction: Professionals in the healthcare field are in situations that could be a source of stress and sometimes develop burnout syndrome. Self-esteem, social support, and empathy are variables which intervene and influence the appearance of this syndrome. Objective: Identify healthcare professional profiles based on self-esteem, empathy and perceived social support, and analyze the extent to which these profiles show differences in developing burnout. Method: The sample was made up of 719 healthcare professionals with a mean of 38.52 years of age. The Short Questionnaire of Burnout, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, the Perceived Social Support Questionnaire and the Basic Empathy Scale were used. Results: The results of a cluster analysis with self-esteem, empathy, and perceived social support showed four groups/profiles. Two of them, which included professionals with low self-esteem, differed in the rest of the characteristics. Furthermore, significant differences in burnout scores were found among the groups identified. Conclusion: The results show the need to study burnout with attention to individual and or social characteristics, where self-esteem is shown to be one of the explanatory variables making the main differences among the groups.

Burnout syndrome and associated factors among health professionals of a public hospital

OBJECTIVE

To identify the prevalence of burnout syndrome (BS) dimensions and their relationship with sociodemographic data, working variables, psychosocial variables, job satisfaction, hardiness, self-efficacy, and common mental disorders among health professionals of a public hospital.

METHOD

This cross-sectional study assessed 234 health professionals working at a public hospital in southern Brazil. Participants answered the Maslach Burnout Inventory, the Job Satisfaction Questionnaire, the Hardiness Scale, The General Self-Efficacy Scale, the Self-Reporting Questionnaire, and a questionnaire specifically designed for the present study to assess sociodemographic and variables related to work. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

RESULTS

An association was identified between the three dimensions of BS and sociodemographic data, variables related to work, psychosocial variables, hardy personality traits, and common mental disorders.

CONCLUSION

The study allowed to define a risk profile for BS, namely male, young, undergraduate workers, with a low income, who see a large number of patients per day, physicians, government employees, absence of commitment, control and challenge (hardy personality traits), low self-efficacy, job dissatisfaction, presence of common mental disorders, and intention to change career, institution, or position at current institution.

[Burnout and teamwork in primary care teams]

Objetivo

Estimar la prevalencia de burnout y percepción de trabajo en equipo en los equipos de Atención Primaria (EAP) de Barcelona ciudad.

Diseño

Transversal multicéntrico.

Emplazamiento

EAP del Institut Català de la Salut (ICS) en Barcelona.

Participantes

Trabajadores fijos e interinos, de todas las categorías profesionales de 51 EAP (N = 2398). Respondieron 879 (36,7%).

Mediciones

Se envió por correo electrónico el cuestionario «Maslach Burnout Inventory», con las dimensiones agotamiento emocional, despersonalización y realización personal. Se consideró burnout la afectación en grado alto de 2 o más dimensiones. La percepción del trabajo en equipo y la valoración de jefaturas se midió con un cuestionario diseñado ad hoc.

Resultados

La prevalencia de burnout fue del 17,2%. El 46,2% presentaron una o más subescalas alteradas. Presentan alto grado de agotamiento emocional 38,2%, 23,8% despersonalización y 7,7% baja realización personal. Un 49,2% consideran que se fomenta bastante o mucho el trabajo en equipo. Globalmente, trabajadores sociales presentan mayor media de dimensiones afectadas en grado alto, seguidas de administrativos, odontólogos, médicos y enfermeras (p < 0,001). El personal fijo presenta mayor grado de agotamiento emocional (p < 0,002). Los que peor valoraron a sus jefaturas y los que menos consideraban trabajar en equipo presentaron más agotamiento emocional, más despersonalización y mayor nivel de burnout en general (p < 0,001).

Conclusiones

El nivel de burnout entre los profesionales es considerable, existiendo diferencias entre categorías profesionales. El trabajo en equipo y una buena valoración de sus jefaturas protegen del burnout.

Comunicación, participación y liderazgo en la percepción del clima emocional en un hospital universitario de Andalucía, España

El objetivo de este artículo es conocer y analizar la valoración del personal de un hospital universitario de Andalucía, España, sobre el clima emocional, el tipo de liderazgo ejercido y la calidad de la información y comunicación interna, así como recoger sus propuestas de mejora. El estudio realizado con 730 profesionales facultativos, enfermeros y auxiliares, usa metodología cuantitativa y cualitativa. Los resultados reflejan la existencia de un clima emocional medio-bajo, que se correlaciona con el estilo de liderazgo y la percepción sobre el grado de información y comunicación. Se observan diferencias estadísticamente significativas en los resultados, en función de las categorías profesionales, así como de la unidad o servicio hospitalario. Las demandas de los y las profesionales reflejan una valoración positiva de sus responsables, aunque se evidencia la necesidad de más habilidades propias de un estilo de liderazgo orientador, participativo y afiliativo.

Burnout and stress among nurses in a university tertiary hospital

This cross-sectional, analytical and correlational study investigated the existence of Burnout based on a sample of 149 nurses of a university tertiary hospital from October to December 2008 and correlate Burnout with stressors in the hospital work environment. The Maslach Burnout Inventory, the Nurses' Stress Inventory and a questionnaire to characterize the subjects were applied. The results indicated the presence of Burnout in 7.3% of nurses (quartile) and 10.22% (tercile), and also a correlation among the inventories' domains. Vulnerability to this type of illness among nurses was increased by stress experienced in the work environment.

[Burnout syndrome in an obstetrics and gynaecology management unit]

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence of the Burnout Syndrome among the members of an Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Cross-sectional study using an anonymous questionnaire and socio-Spanish version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory.

RESULTS

The survey was answered by 21 doctors, 11 matrons, 14 DUE, 22 nurses, 2 administrative officers and 1 watchman, with a response rate of 43.2%. Average values were 20.1 points for the emotional exhaustion, depersonalization 7.6 points to 42.1 points and for personal fulfilment. We found higher values of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization in the group of doctors in relation to other professional groups.

CONCLUSION

We believe that 33.8% is an alarmingly high level of emotional exhaustion in the members of the present study, and this level is even higher in medical specialists (52.3%). Only the 2.8% of the professionals had high values in the three sub-scales.

[Comparative study of burnout in Intensive Care and Emergency Care nursing staff]

OBJECTIVE

To assess and compare the burnout level between Intensive Care Unit and Emergency Unit, and study its association with the sociodemographic and work characteristics of the professionals surveyed.

DESCRIPTION

Cross-sectional, descriptive study. Emplacement. Intensive Care Unit of the university hospital Morales Meseguer, Murcia-Spain. STUDIED SAMPLE: 97 nursing professionals: 55 professionals belong to the Emergency Department, and 42 professionals belong to the Intensive Care Department.

METHOD

Two evaluation tools were used: a sociodemographic and work survey, and the Maslach Burnout Inventory, 1986. Quantitative variables expressed as mean +/- SD compared with the Student's T test and qualitative variables compared with the chi2 test.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

SPSS 12.0(c).

RESULTS

The comparative analysis of the burnout dimensions shows that emotional exhaustion level is significantly higher in the intensive care service than in the emergency one (25.45 +/- 11.15 vs 22.09 +/- 10.99) p < 0.05. The rest of burnout dimensions do not show significant differences between both departments. The masculine gender obtains a higher score in the depersonalization dimension of burnout (10.12 +/- 5.38) than female one (6.7 +/- 5.21) p < 0.01. There is greater vulnerability to emotional exhaustion among the professional group with more than 15 years of work experience (F = 3.592; p = 0.031).

CONCLUSIONS

The burnout levels are moderate to high among the nursing professionals studied. A total of 5.15% of the sample studied achieves a high score in the three dimensions of the burnout syndrome. The intensive care professionals are the most vulnerable to suffering high levels of emotional exhaustion, and the masculine gender is more susceptible to depersonalization attitudes.

Desgaste profesional en el personal sanitario y su relación con los factores personales y ambientales

OBJECTIVES

High rates of professional burnout syndrome have been found among health service professionals. Our objective was to study the prevalence of burnout syndrome in hospital health workers and to determine its relationship with personal and environmental factors.

METHODS

A total of 2290 health workers from five hospitals in the province of Girona (Spain) were invited to participate. Interviewees were given a specifically designed questionnaire, a questionnaire on organizational climate, and the Spanish version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory, which includes three scales: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment.

RESULTS

Responses were received from 1095 health workers (a response rate of 47.8%). A high level of emotional exhaustion was found in 41.6% of staff members, especially among doctors and nurses; a high level of depersonalization was found in 23%, mainly among doctors, and reduced personal accomplishment was found in 27.9%, mainly among technicians and doctors. Multiple logistic regression revealed that a high level of emotional exhaustion was associated with frequent consumption of tranquilizers or antidepressants, whereas optimism and job satisfaction showed an inverse association. The variables that were inversely associated with a high level of depersonalization were the number of years in the profession, optimism, evaluation of work as being useful and the perception of being valued by others. Reduced personal accomplishment was also inversely associated with optimism, satisfaction with the usefulness of one's work, and satisfaction with teamwork.

CONCLUSIONS

In view of the results obtained, to reduce professional burnout in hospitals, optimism and a sense of self-worth among individuals should be encouraged and the organizational environment should be improved.

Síndrome de desgaste profesional en el personal asistencial pediátrico

BACKGROUND

Burnout syndrome (BS) is a chronic adaptation disorder that provokes serious problems in occupational behavior.

OBJECTIVE

In the present study we assessed the prevalence of burnout syndrome in pediatric healthcare workers.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional, descriptive study.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In November 2002, the Maslach Burnout Inventory was given to 127 staff members (doctors, nurses and nurse assistants) working in a pediatrics department. The questionnaire includes 22 items that explore three aspects of BS: a) emotional exhaustion; b) depersonalization, and c) personal achievement.

RESULTS

The questionnaire was completed by 93 staff members (73.2 % of the whole sample; 83 % women and 17 % men). The mean age was 38.6 +/- 10.2 years and the median number of years worked was 10 (range: 1-37 years). Twenty-nine percent were pediatricians, 50.5 % were nurses and 20.5 % were nurse assistants. A total of 20.8 % had a high level of BS, 19.8 % had a moderate level and 59.4 % showed a low level. When sub-scales were applied, the results showed that 67.7 % of respondents presented a low level of personal achievement, 14.5 % had high scores of emotional exhaustion and 23.9 % obtained high scores in the depersonalization scale.

CONCLUSIONS

BS is present in a significant percentage of hospital workers attending pediatric patients. In our sample, the most notable component of BS was the lack of personal achievement. This finding alerted us to the eventual presence of negative attitudes toward self and professional activity, as well as to the loss of interest in pediatric care, low productivity and diminished self-esteem. We believe that specific strategies should be implemented to attenuate the factors influencing the development of BS in pediatric health staff.