Prevalence of Burnout Syndrome ampong anesthesiologists of the Hospital General Universitario of Castellón de la Plana (HGUCS)

Abstract

Background: Christina Maslach, pioneering researcher on Burnout syndrome, defined it as a syndrome based on high levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment, that can occur in individuals who work with people. Physicians are exposed to high levels of distress at work, and are sensitive to developing burnout. Anesthesiology is considered one of the most stressful medical disciplines. The main objective of this study is to assess the prevalence of Burnout syndrome, among the anaesthesiologists of the Hospital General Universitario of Castellon de la Plana, as well as estimate possible socioeconomic and demographic factors associated. Methods: We carried out an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study. Our study population was 41 anesthesiologists (32 doctors and 9 residents). The main variable of our study was the prevalence of Burnout syndrome, and for its evaluation we used the validated Spanish translation of the MBI (Maslach Burnout Inventory), which is considered the gold-standard for burnout assessment. Our secondary variables studied were: age range, type of employment contract, smoking, night shifts, number of years working, and physical exercise, which were collected through a questionnaire in order to estimate the possible association with Burnout. Results: Of the 41 anesthesiologists, 35 respond to the MBI (85.4%), and 31 to both questionnaires (75.6%). A high degree of emotional exhaustion was found in 28.6 % of anesthesiologists, high levels of depersonalization were reported in the 42.9 %, and a low rating on personal accomplishment was diagnosed in 51.4 % of them . Of the participants, 50.7% had at least one of the three criteria to develop the syndrome and 28.6% had at least two. Burnout syndrome showed a prevalence of 14.3%. A statistically significant association (p < 0.05), was found between the variable “working years at the speciality”, and “low personal accomplishment”. Conclusions: We obtained a medium-high prevalence of Burnout syndrome (14.3%), in comparation to the available evidence. The implementation of prevention and correction measures should be considered in order to improve these working conditions, and to achieve an optimum quality of care.