Burnout en profesionales de los servicios paliativos, intensivos y urgencias de un gran hospital

[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.

[Effect of psychosocial work environment and job satisfaction on burnout syndrome among specialist physicians]

OBJECTIVES

To describe the prevalence of burnout syndrome according to medical specialty and to examine the impact of work psychosocial risk factors, job satisfaction and professional characteristics on burnout syndrome among specialist physicians throughout Spain.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 1,021 Spanish physicians. The outcome variables were the 3 dimensions of burnout syndrome: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment. The explanatory variables were work psychosocial risk factors and job satisfaction evaluated by a stress scale specifically designed for physicians. Adjusted odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals were calculated by logistic regression.

RESULTS

The probability of high emotional exhaustion and depersonalization were greater in physicians exposed to a high level of contact with suffering and death and to a negative impact of work on home life. The probability of high emotional exhaustion was greater among physicians with a high work overload. The risk of low personal accomplishment was higher among physicians with low professional satisfaction and those without training activities. Dissatisfaction with relationships with patients and relatives had a negative effect on the 3 dimensions of burnout.

CONCLUSIONS

Psychosocial work environment and job satisfaction have a negative effect on burnout syndrome, especially on emotional exhaustion and depersonalization.