Burnout in the staff of a chronic care hospital

Merino-Plaza, Maria Jose; Carrera-Hueso, Francisco Javier; Arribas-Boscá, Nuria; Martínez-Asensi, Amparo; Trull-Maravilla, Emilia; Fikri-Benbrahim, Narjis

doi:10.11606/s1518-8787.2018052000242

ABSTRACT

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.

DESCRIPTORS
Burnout, Professional, classification; Patient Care Team; Hospitals, Public, manpower; Working Conditions; Socioeconomic Factors

INTRODUCTION

Burnout or Occupational Burnout appears due to an inadequate response to chronic work stressors of an interpersonal nature, with negative consequences for personal, work and organizational levels¹1. Maslach C, Schaufeli WB, Leiter MP. Job burnout. Annu Rev Psychol. 2001;52:397-422. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.psych.52.1.397
https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.psych.52... . It mainly affects professionals who provide their services in direct contact with the recipient of their care, such as health personnel, teachers or police. Its origin is occupational, but its etiology is multifactorial and depends on individual, social and organizational factors.

The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI)²2. Maslach C, Jackson SE. Maslach Burnout Inventory. 2.ed. Palo Alto: Consulting Psychologists Press; 1986. is the most commonly used instrument for its evaluation and contributes to systematizing the research on the construct. Their subscales were not identified from a theoretical model supported by clinical observation but were deduced from exploratory studies carried out to confirm the factorial validity of the tool³3. Shirom A, Melamed S. A comparison of the construct validity of two burnout measures in two groups of professionals. Int J Stress Manag. 2006;13(2):176-200. https://doi.org/10.1037/1072-5245.13.2.176
https://doi.org/10.1037/1072-5245.13.2.1... ^,⁴4. Taris TW, Le Blanc PM, Schaufeli WB, Schreurs PJG. Are there causal relationships between the dimensions of the Maslach Burnout Inventory? A review and two longitudinal tests. Work Stress. 2005;19(3):238-55. https://doi.org/10.1080/02678370500270453
https://doi.org/10.1080/0267837050027045... .

Christina Maslach considers Burnout a three-dimensional syndrome, although some authors propose a two-dimensional structure and others expose a factorial structure of four or more dimensions⁵5. Loera B, Converso D, Viotti S. Evaluating the psychometric properties of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS) among Italian nurses: how many factors must a researcher consider? PLoS One. 2014;9(12):e114987. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0114987
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.011... . However, all consider emotional fatigue as the main nucleus of the syndrome, and it is the most stable and predictive component of its consequences¹1. Maslach C, Schaufeli WB, Leiter MP. Job burnout. Annu Rev Psychol. 2001;52:397-422. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.psych.52.1.397
https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.psych.52... ^,⁶6. Lee RT, Seo B, Hladkyj S, Lovell BL, Schwartzmann L. Correlates of physician burnout across regions and specialties: a meta-analysis. Hum Resour Health. 2013;11:48. https://doi.org/10.1186/1478-4491-11-48
https://doi.org/10.1186/1478-4491-11-48... . The disparity in results on the factor structure and psychometric properties of MBI is due to the heterogeneity of the samples used in the different studies. There is no unanimous criterion on the cut-off points to be used to diagnose burnout and to calculate its prevalence, but the instrument has been adapted to different languages to avoid distortions in the interpretation of the results⁵5. Loera B, Converso D, Viotti S. Evaluating the psychometric properties of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS) among Italian nurses: how many factors must a researcher consider? PLoS One. 2014;9(12):e114987. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0114987
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.011... ^,⁷7. Grau-Alberola E, Gil-Monte PR, García-Juesas JA, Figueiredo-Ferraz H. Incidence of burnout in Spanish nursing professionals: a longitudinal study. Int J Nurs Stud. 2010;47(8):1013-20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2009.12.022
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2009.... ^,⁸8. Kim H, Juye Ji. Factor structure and longitudinal invariance of the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Res Soc Work Pract. 2009;19(3):325-39.. Gil-Monte and Peiró validated the factorial structure of MBI for the Spanish population in 1999 and established cut-off points for this population in 2000⁹9. Gil-Monte PR, Peiró JM. Un estudio comparativo sobre criterios normativos y diferenciales para el diagnóstico del síndrome de quemarse por el trabajo (burnout) según el MBI-HSS en España. Rev Psicol Trab Organ. 2000;16(2):135-49..

The health environment supports, among others, three characteristics that are risk factors for the appearance of Burnout: a great mental and physical effort, continuous interruptions and reorganization of tasks, which increase the mental load and effort and dealing with the patient in complex circumstances of anxiety and pain. In addition, the health system is increasingly complex and subject to organizational and technological changes that cause professionals to adapt continuously, increasing stress in the perceived work and the risk of the onset of the syndrome.

Several studies on Burnout were carried out in primary care, specialized hospitals, chronic diseases hospitals and specific areas and services at a national and international level⁶6. Lee RT, Seo B, Hladkyj S, Lovell BL, Schwartzmann L. Correlates of physician burnout across regions and specialties: a meta-analysis. Hum Resour Health. 2013;11:48. https://doi.org/10.1186/1478-4491-11-48
https://doi.org/10.1186/1478-4491-11-48... ^,¹⁰10. Cañadas-De la Fuente GA, Vargas C, San Luis C, García I, Cañadas GR, De la Fuente EI. Risk factors and prevalence of burnout syndrome in the nursing profession. Int J Nurs Stud. 2015;52(1):240-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2014.07.001
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2014.... . However, there are no surveys conducted in medium-long-term hospitals, where, because of the great vulnerability of their patients, it can produce more emotional involvement of the staff than in other types of health institutions.

The objective of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of Burnout in a medium-long stay Hospital, to monitor its evolution and to highlight the importance of the cut-off points used to avoid distortions in the interpretation of results.

METHODS

The study population was the staff of the Doctor Moliner hospital, a public, medium-long stay hospital with 183 beds located in the province of Valencia, Spain. Two serial observational studies were conducted in March 2013 and 2016 to determine the prevalence of Burnout. Participation was voluntary and anonymous.

The instrument used was the Spanish version of the second edition of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS)¹¹11. Seisdedos-Cubero N. Versión española del Maslac h Burnout Inventory. Madrid: Ediciones TEA; 1997 aimed at health professionals.

The questionnaire applied had three parts. The first one collected sociodemographic characteristics of the respondents. The second asked for information on triggering factors and modulators described in the literature¹1. Maslach C, Schaufeli WB, Leiter MP. Job burnout. Annu Rev Psychol. 2001;52:397-422. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.psych.52.1.397
https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.psych.52... . The triggering factors evaluated were: interpersonal relationships between professionals and patients (self-perception of the value of family members and patients), interpersonal relationships at work (self-perception of peers and bosses), and professional appreciation of perceived gains. The modulating factors evaluated were: training, social support, the perception of one's professional experience and certain personal variables, such as self-efficacy and optimism. The training and interpersonal relationships (valuation as patients, relatives, partners and superiors), were evaluated with a dichotomous scale (yes, no). Professional experience and perceptions about self-efficacy, optimism, gains and social support were assessed on a discrete scale from one to 10. The third part of the questionnaire included the 22 questions from the MBI-HSS test that assessed the degree of affectation of the subscales that define the syndrome – emotional fatigue (EF), depersonalization (DP) and low personal fulfillment (PF). These questions were answered on a seven-degree Likert scale ranging from zero (never) to six (every day).

The questionnaires were considered valid if all MBI-HSS test questions were answered, although there was some lack of response to the variables collected in the first and second part of the questionnaire.

In order to categorize professionals in individuals with high, medium and low affectation levels of the subscales in 2013, the 33rd and 66th percentiles were calculated according to the criteria proposed by Maslach and Jackson²2. Maslach C, Jackson SE. Maslach Burnout Inventory. 2.ed. Palo Alto: Consulting Psychologists Press; 1986. and were used as their own cut-off points in both the moments. In addition, to verify if there were differences or distortions in the interpretation of the results according to the cut-off points applied, the cut-off points described in five reference studies regarding Burnout among health professionals were used²2. Maslach C, Jackson SE. Maslach Burnout Inventory. 2.ed. Palo Alto: Consulting Psychologists Press; 1986.^,⁹9. Gil-Monte PR, Peiró JM. Un estudio comparativo sobre criterios normativos y diferenciales para el diagnóstico del síndrome de quemarse por el trabajo (burnout) según el MBI-HSS en España. Rev Psicol Trab Organ. 2000;16(2):135-49.^,¹¹11. Seisdedos-Cubero N. Versión española del Maslac h Burnout Inventory. Madrid: Ediciones TEA; 1997^–¹³13. Neira MC. Cuando se enferman los que curan: estrés laboral y burnout en los profesionales de la salud. Buenos Aires: Gambacop; 2004..

The sample size was not predetermined since the questionnaires were sent by internal mail to all staff in both cut-offs. The procedure used for sampling and data collection was the same in both studies. At both times, a letter was sent alongside the research, explaining the objectives of the study and asking for the collaboration of the professionals. The questionnaire was self-administered, was distributed in February and responses were collected in March through the suggestion boxes to ensure anonymity. The group had 323 employees in 2013; 318 acknowledgments of receipt were received. The remaining five did not receive the survey for various reasons ((free days vacations, etc.). A total of 125 responses were obtained (39.3% of the participants), of which 100 were valid (participation index = 31.5%). By 2016, the group had 312 employees but received only 257 acknowledgments of receipt. A total of 121 responses (47.1% of participants) were obtained, of which 101 were valid (participation rate = 39.3%).

Position (mean) and dispersion (standard deviation) measures were used to describe the quantitative variables and frequency measures (percentages) for the categorical variables. The independent variables were the sociodemographic characteristics of the staff and their perception of the triggering factors and modulators evaluated. The variables were the degree of affectation of the subscales (score ≥ to the cut-off points considered) and the presence of Burnout (high degree of affectation of the three subscales).

To verify the normal distribution of variables, the Shapiro-Wilk test was used, using parametric models if they were met or their non-parametric equivalents otherwise. In the bivariate analysis, the chi-square test was used to relate qualitative variables, the t-Student test for quantitative variables and the one-way ANOVA test for quantitative variables against qualitative variables of three or more categories, with the Bonferroni post hoc correction.

The average scores of the subscales were compared with those obtained in seven similar studies carried out in Spain in the last few years⁷7. Grau-Alberola E, Gil-Monte PR, García-Juesas JA, Figueiredo-Ferraz H. Incidence of burnout in Spanish nursing professionals: a longitudinal study. Int J Nurs Stud. 2010;47(8):1013-20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2009.12.022
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2009.... ^,¹⁰10. Cañadas-De la Fuente GA, Vargas C, San Luis C, García I, Cañadas GR, De la Fuente EI. Risk factors and prevalence of burnout syndrome in the nursing profession. Int J Nurs Stud. 2015;52(1):240-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2014.07.001
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2014.... ^,¹⁴14. Grau A, Suñer R, García MM. Desgaste profesional en el personal sanitario y su relación con los factores personales y ambientales. Gac Sanit. 2005 [cited 2017 Nov 29];19(6):463-70. Available from: http://scielo.isciii.es/pdf/gs/v19n6/original6.pdf
http://scielo.isciii.es/pdf/gs/v19n6/ori...

15. Prieto Albino L, Robles Agüero E, Salazar Martínez LM, Daniel Vega E. Burnout en médicos de atención primaria de la provincia de Cáceres. Aten Primaria. 2002;29(5):294-302. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0212-6567(02)70567-2
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0212-6567(02)70...

16. Albaladejo R, Villanueva R, Ortega P, Astasio P, Calle ME, Domínguez V. Síndrome de Burnout en el personal de enfermería de un hospital de Madrid. Rev Esp Salud Publica. 2004;78(4):505-16.

17. Pera G, Serra-Prat M. Prevalencia del síndrome del quemado y estudio de los factores asociados en los trabajadores de un hospital comarcal. Gac Sanit. 2002 [cited 2017 Nov 29];16(6):480-6. Available from: http://scielo.isciii.es/pdf/gs/v16n6/original2.pdf
http://scielo.isciii.es/pdf/gs/v16n6/ori... ^-¹⁸18. Jiménez Blanco S, Frutos LLanes R, Blanco Montagut LE. Síndrome de Burnout: estudio de la prevalencia y factores de riesgo en los profesionales de enfermería de Atención Primaria de Ávila. Rev Enferm Cyl. 2011 [cited 2017 Nov 29];3(2):13-24. Available from: http://www.revistaenfermeriacyl.com/index.php/revistaenfermeriacyl/article/view/60/47
http://www.revistaenfermeriacyl.com/inde... .

To transform the variables evaluated by discrete scale into categorical variables, a new variable called “high perception” was created, considering that this level was reached when its score was higher than eight. For the Burnout subscales, a new variable named ‘high affectation’ was coded, considering that this level was reached when the Gil-Monte cut-off points were exceeded⁹9. Gil-Monte PR, Peiró JM. Un estudio comparativo sobre criterios normativos y diferenciales para el diagnóstico del síndrome de quemarse por el trabajo (burnout) según el MBI-HSS en España. Rev Psicol Trab Organ. 2000;16(2):135-49.. The odds ratio (OR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to quantify the degree of association of the independent variables with the Burnout subscales. The adjusted analysis was performed using binary logistic regression, including in the model the potentially confounding variables according to the Maldonado-Greeland criterion¹⁹19. Maldonado G, Greenland S. Simulation study of confounder-selection strategies. Am J Epidemiol. 1993;138(11):923-36..

Statistical analysis was performed using the IBM SPSS Statistics program, version 19.0.

The study was approved by the Management and the Commissions of Quality, Bioethics, and Teaching and Research. For the application of the instrument, the explicit consent of the participants was not requested, since the participation was voluntary and anonymous, the response and delivery of the completed research implied that consent and was included in the prior information given to the staff.

RESULTS

The sociodemographic data of the group and the characteristics of the professionals participating in the research were presented in Table 1. Significant differences were observed in relation to the professional category and the time worked of the participants in both moments of the study, with an increase in the participation of the group of doctors and professionals with more than 20 years working. Regarding the triggering factors and modulators, we observed a better self-perception of the valorization by the relatives in the 2016 cut-off.

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Table 1
Sociodemographic characteristics of the Hospital group and of the research participants (2013–2016).

The mean scores of the subscales at both moments and their 33 and 66 percentiles were presented in Table 2. The values obtained place our professionals in an average level of professional fatigue, although the fatigue observed in 2016 was lower, with significant differences between the two moments for DP and PF.

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Table 2
Mean scores and 33 and 66 percentiles of the subscales obtained in the study, 2013–2016.

Our average for the EF in the 2016 cut-off (21.5) was higher than the mean value of the seven studies consulted (19.9). Our mean for the PF scale was also higher than the mean value of these studies (PF₂₀₁₆ = 41.7 versus 34.4), while our score on the DP scale was lower than the mean value (DP₂₀₁₆ = 4.7 versus 7.1).

The results of Burnout prevalence and degree of affectation of the subscales varied greatly according to the normative criteria applied. In Table 3, the results obtained in both moments were presented, comparing their interpretation according to the normative values considered. The most restrictive criterion was that of Schaufeli.

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Table 3
Burnout frequency and degree of affectation of the subscales (MBI-HSS) obtained in the study according to the cut-off points proposed by different authors (2013–2016).

For EF, no differences in interpretation of results were observed, whereas, for DP, PF and Burnout prevalence, cross-cultural differences were observed in the interpretation of the results when applying the Gil-Monte criteria against the rest of the cut-off points considered (Table 4).

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Table 4
Differences in the interpretation of the results of “high degree of affectation of the subscales” and prevalence of Burnout according to the normative criteria considered.

The sociodemographic variables showed little association with the outcome variables, whereas a high perception of some of the modulating variables did, however, show an association with Burnout and with the high affectation of the subscales that define it (Table 5).

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Table 5
Association of sociodemographic, triggering and modulating variables with Burnout subscales according to Gil-Monte cut-off points (2013–2016).

DISCUSSION

To calculate the prevalence of Burnout, different cut-off points were used, evidencing the importance of selecting appropriate normative values to avoid distortions in the interpretation of the results. The prevalence obtained varied greatly depending on the cut-off points used. The reason for this variability is that, in order to define the cut-off points that evaluate the syndrome, Maslach and Jackson²2. Maslach C, Jackson SE. Maslach Burnout Inventory. 2.ed. Palo Alto: Consulting Psychologists Press; 1986. propose to use the 33rd and 66th percentiles, so that they divide the sample into three equal groups for each subscale. But this method provides different cut-off points depending on the population studied. This variability is due to the occupational and cross-cultural differences of the samples used in the different studies. The cut-off points defined by Maslach for the American population are higher for EF and DP than for Europeans, while their normative values are lower for PF, significant differences were observed in relation to the application of cut-off points obtained in samples of Hispanic language. The most restrictive criterion is that of the Schaufeli because, since it is based on the percentiles obtained on a sample of professionals with occupational stress problems, it is the only criterion validated clinically for the diagnosis of Burnout. In this study, as in other studies⁷7. Grau-Alberola E, Gil-Monte PR, García-Juesas JA, Figueiredo-Ferraz H. Incidence of burnout in Spanish nursing professionals: a longitudinal study. Int J Nurs Stud. 2010;47(8):1013-20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2009.12.022
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2009.... ^,²⁰20. Gil-Monte PR, Marucco MA. Prevalencia del “síndrome de quemarse por el trabajo” (burnout) en pediatras de hospitales generales. Rev Saude Publica. 2008;42(3):450-6. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89102008000300009
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-8910200800... , we obtained lower prevalence when applying this criterion, since these cut-off points only detect clinically relevant cases.

The participation rate was less than 50%, although in similar studies conducted through self-administered and anonymous questionnaires sent to health personnel it is difficult to overcome this rate⁷7. Grau-Alberola E, Gil-Monte PR, García-Juesas JA, Figueiredo-Ferraz H. Incidence of burnout in Spanish nursing professionals: a longitudinal study. Int J Nurs Stud. 2010;47(8):1013-20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2009.12.022
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2009.... ^,¹⁴14. Grau A, Suñer R, García MM. Desgaste profesional en el personal sanitario y su relación con los factores personales y ambientales. Gac Sanit. 2005 [cited 2017 Nov 29];19(6):463-70. Available from: http://scielo.isciii.es/pdf/gs/v19n6/original6.pdf
http://scielo.isciii.es/pdf/gs/v19n6/ori... . However, some authors had higher rates, above 60%, in studies performed on more specific groups or in the primary care setting¹⁵15. Prieto Albino L, Robles Agüero E, Salazar Martínez LM, Daniel Vega E. Burnout en médicos de atención primaria de la provincia de Cáceres. Aten Primaria. 2002;29(5):294-302. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0212-6567(02)70567-2
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0212-6567(02)70... . The participation rate increased by 8% in the 2016 cut-off, indicating a certain increase in adherence to the procedure.

There are several studies on burnout and occupational stress in health professionals, but many present methodological limitations. Some studies report low, medium and high percentages of EF, DP, and PF, without considering the means of the subscales nor the prevalence of the syndrome²¹21. Caballero Martín MA, Bermejo Fernández F, Nieto Gómez R, Caballero Martínez F. Prevalencia y factores asociados al burnout en un área de salud. Aten Primaria. 2001;27(5):313-7.. Others contribute the data of the prevalence of Burnout, but it is difficult to compare the results obtained by different researchers. This difficulty is due to the fact that different normative criteria were used²²22. Domínguez Fernández JM, Herrera Clavero F, Villaverde Gutiérrez MC, Padilla Segura I, Martínez Bagur ML, Domínguez Fernández J. Síndrome de desgaste profesional en trabajadores de atención a la salud en el área sanitaria de Ceuta. Aten Primaria. 2012;44(1):30-5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aprim.2011.01.004
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aprim.2011.01.... , considering the results on many occasions of American cutoffs¹⁶16. Albaladejo R, Villanueva R, Ortega P, Astasio P, Calle ME, Domínguez V. Síndrome de Burnout en el personal de enfermería de un hospital de Madrid. Rev Esp Salud Publica. 2004;78(4):505-16. or values of their own tertiles¹⁷17. Pera G, Serra-Prat M. Prevalencia del síndrome del quemado y estudio de los factores asociados en los trabajadores de un hospital comarcal. Gac Sanit. 2002 [cited 2017 Nov 29];16(6):480-6. Available from: http://scielo.isciii.es/pdf/gs/v16n6/original2.pdf
http://scielo.isciii.es/pdf/gs/v16n6/ori... . Some classify as Burnout professionals with a medium or high level of affectation of the three subscales¹⁵15. Prieto Albino L, Robles Agüero E, Salazar Martínez LM, Daniel Vega E. Burnout en médicos de atención primaria de la provincia de Cáceres. Aten Primaria. 2002;29(5):294-302. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0212-6567(02)70567-2
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0212-6567(02)70... ^,¹⁸18. Jiménez Blanco S, Frutos LLanes R, Blanco Montagut LE. Síndrome de Burnout: estudio de la prevalencia y factores de riesgo en los profesionales de enfermería de Atención Primaria de Ávila. Rev Enferm Cyl. 2011 [cited 2017 Nov 29];3(2):13-24. Available from: http://www.revistaenfermeriacyl.com/index.php/revistaenfermeriacyl/article/view/60/47
http://www.revistaenfermeriacyl.com/inde... or diagnose the syndrome when two of the subscales are affected at high level²³23. Fonseca M, Sanclemente G, Hernández C, Visiedo C, Bragulat E, Miró O. Residentes, guardias y síndrome de burnout. Rev Clin Esp (Barc). 2010;210(5):209-15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rce.2009.12.006
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rce.2009.12.00... , oversizing the prevalence of the syndrome. Other studies, such as ours, were performed in small samples or have low response rates, so it is difficult to extrapolate the results²⁴24. Reyna C, Bracco C. Síndrome de Burnout y estrategias de afrontamiento en acompañantes terapéuticos. Rev Invest Psicol. 2011;14(2);31-45. https://doi.org/10.15381/rinvp.v14i2.2098
https://doi.org/10.15381/rinvp.v14i2.209... . However, almost all studies agree that the main manifestation of the syndrome and the most stable in time is EF¹1. Maslach C, Schaufeli WB, Leiter MP. Job burnout. Annu Rev Psychol. 2001;52:397-422. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.psych.52.1.397
https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.psych.52... ^,⁶6. Lee RT, Seo B, Hladkyj S, Lovell BL, Schwartzmann L. Correlates of physician burnout across regions and specialties: a meta-analysis. Hum Resour Health. 2013;11:48. https://doi.org/10.1186/1478-4491-11-48
https://doi.org/10.1186/1478-4491-11-48... , also observed in our study. Significant differences were observed between the two moments for the DP and PF subscales, but the EF showed no significant changes.

We verified the variability of the percentile statistical criterion proposed by Maslach for the calculation of the population cut-off points since the values obtained in 2016 were significantly different from those of 2013. This variability corroborates the need to establish normative criteria that are standardized, stable and according to the characteristics of the studied population. In MBI, by not defining a clinical criterion of reference that clearly identifies the people who developed the syndrome, the classification is arbitrary and can induce errors in the interpretation of the results, especially when the subscales do not present an adjusted distribution to the normality²⁰20. Gil-Monte PR, Marucco MA. Prevalencia del “síndrome de quemarse por el trabajo” (burnout) en pediatras de hospitales generales. Rev Saude Publica. 2008;42(3):450-6. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89102008000300009
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-8910200800... . Many authors propose using specific cut-offs by country and profession⁹9. Gil-Monte PR, Peiró JM. Un estudio comparativo sobre criterios normativos y diferenciales para el diagnóstico del síndrome de quemarse por el trabajo (burnout) según el MBI-HSS en España. Rev Psicol Trab Organ. 2000;16(2):135-49.^,¹²12. Schaufeli WB, Van Dierendonck D. A cautionary note about the cross-national and clinical validity of cut-off points for the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Psychol Rep. 1995;76(3 Pt 2):1083-90.^,²⁵25. Schaufeli WB, Bakker AB, Hoogduin K, Schaap C, Kladler A. On the clinical validity of the Maslach burnout inventory and the burnout measure. Psychol Health. 2001;16(5):565-82. https://doi.org/10.1080/08870440108405527
https://doi.org/10.1080/0887044010840552... to avoid such distortions. In our study, to research the association between variables, we used the normative criteria defined by Gil-Monte⁹9. Gil-Monte PR, Peiró JM. Un estudio comparativo sobre criterios normativos y diferenciales para el diagnóstico del síndrome de quemarse por el trabajo (burnout) según el MBI-HSS en España. Rev Psicol Trab Organ. 2000;16(2):135-49. for a Spanish multi-occupational sample, since they are the ones that best adapt to the characteristics of the studied population.

Analyzing the influence of sociodemographic variables, we observed the association between age and personal achievement in the 2013 cut-off, with greater personal fulfillment in older professionals. These results differ from those observed in other studies, in which the association between certain sociodemographic variables and the presence of Burnout was observed¹⁰10. Cañadas-De la Fuente GA, Vargas C, San Luis C, García I, Cañadas GR, De la Fuente EI. Risk factors and prevalence of burnout syndrome in the nursing profession. Int J Nurs Stud. 2015;52(1):240-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2014.07.001
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2014.... ^,¹⁵15. Prieto Albino L, Robles Agüero E, Salazar Martínez LM, Daniel Vega E. Burnout en médicos de atención primaria de la provincia de Cáceres. Aten Primaria. 2002;29(5):294-302. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0212-6567(02)70567-2
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0212-6567(02)70... ^,¹⁷17. Pera G, Serra-Prat M. Prevalencia del síndrome del quemado y estudio de los factores asociados en los trabajadores de un hospital comarcal. Gac Sanit. 2002 [cited 2017 Nov 29];16(6):480-6. Available from: http://scielo.isciii.es/pdf/gs/v16n6/original2.pdf
http://scielo.isciii.es/pdf/gs/v16n6/ori... ^,²⁶26. Atance Martínez C. Aspectos epidemiológicos del síndrome de Burnout en personal sanitario. Rev Esp Salud Publica. 1997 [cited 2017 Nov 29];71(3):293-303. Available from: http://scielo.isciii.es/pdf/resp/v71n3/burnout.pdf
http://scielo.isciii.es/pdf/resp/v71n3/b... . There is no consensus in the configuration of the epidemiological profile of the syndrome¹⁵15. Prieto Albino L, Robles Agüero E, Salazar Martínez LM, Daniel Vega E. Burnout en médicos de atención primaria de la provincia de Cáceres. Aten Primaria. 2002;29(5):294-302. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0212-6567(02)70567-2
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0212-6567(02)70... ^,¹⁸18. Jiménez Blanco S, Frutos LLanes R, Blanco Montagut LE. Síndrome de Burnout: estudio de la prevalencia y factores de riesgo en los profesionales de enfermería de Atención Primaria de Ávila. Rev Enferm Cyl. 2011 [cited 2017 Nov 29];3(2):13-24. Available from: http://www.revistaenfermeriacyl.com/index.php/revistaenfermeriacyl/article/view/60/47
http://www.revistaenfermeriacyl.com/inde... . Regarding gender, there are studies in which women are more affected²⁶26. Atance Martínez C. Aspectos epidemiológicos del síndrome de Burnout en personal sanitario. Rev Esp Salud Publica. 1997 [cited 2017 Nov 29];71(3):293-303. Available from: http://scielo.isciii.es/pdf/resp/v71n3/burnout.pdf
http://scielo.isciii.es/pdf/resp/v71n3/b... ^,²⁷27. Teixeira C, Ribeiro O, Fonseca AM, Carvalho AS. Burnout in intensive care units: a consideration of the possible prevalence and frequency of new risk factors: a descriptive correlational multicentre study. BMC Anesthesiol. 2013;13(1):38. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2253-13-38
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2253-13-38... , others find men¹¹11. Seisdedos-Cubero N. Versión española del Maslac h Burnout Inventory. Madrid: Ediciones TEA; 1997^,¹⁵15. Prieto Albino L, Robles Agüero E, Salazar Martínez LM, Daniel Vega E. Burnout en médicos de atención primaria de la provincia de Cáceres. Aten Primaria. 2002;29(5):294-302. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0212-6567(02)70567-2
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0212-6567(02)70... and others do not find significant differences, as was our case.

According to our results, social support acted as a protective factor for PF in both cut-offs, probably because it cushioned work stress, also described in the literature²⁸28. Mingote Adán JC, Moreno Jiménez B, Gálvez Herrer M. Desgaste profesional y salud de los profesionales médicos: revisión y propuestas de prevención. Med Clin. 2004;123(7):265-70.. On the contrary, they acted as risk factors for EF, PF, and the presence of Burnout, low appreciation for patients, family members, and superiors. The DP scale showed no association with any of the variables considered, whereas the PF was the scale that showed a greater number of associations with the explanatory variables, as happened in other studies consulted¹⁰10. Cañadas-De la Fuente GA, Vargas C, San Luis C, García I, Cañadas GR, De la Fuente EI. Risk factors and prevalence of burnout syndrome in the nursing profession. Int J Nurs Stud. 2015;52(1):240-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2014.07.001
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2014.... ^,¹⁴14. Grau A, Suñer R, García MM. Desgaste profesional en el personal sanitario y su relación con los factores personales y ambientales. Gac Sanit. 2005 [cited 2017 Nov 29];19(6):463-70. Available from: http://scielo.isciii.es/pdf/gs/v19n6/original6.pdf
http://scielo.isciii.es/pdf/gs/v19n6/ori... ^,¹⁷17. Pera G, Serra-Prat M. Prevalencia del síndrome del quemado y estudio de los factores asociados en los trabajadores de un hospital comarcal. Gac Sanit. 2002 [cited 2017 Nov 29];16(6):480-6. Available from: http://scielo.isciii.es/pdf/gs/v16n6/original2.pdf
http://scielo.isciii.es/pdf/gs/v16n6/ori... . Lack of training and a negative perception of the assessment by patients, relatives and superiors increased the risk of affectation of the subscale, while a high perception of professional experience, optimism, and social support acted as protective factors.

For some authors, certain personal and work characteristics (chaotic environment, poor interpersonal relations, feelings of inequality) are associated with high levels of Burnout¹⁵15. Prieto Albino L, Robles Agüero E, Salazar Martínez LM, Daniel Vega E. Burnout en médicos de atención primaria de la provincia de Cáceres. Aten Primaria. 2002;29(5):294-302. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0212-6567(02)70567-2
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0212-6567(02)70... ^,²⁹29. Salanova M, Del Líbano M, Llorens S, Schaufeli WB. Engaged, workaholic, burned-out or just 9-to-5? Toward a typology of employee well-being. Stress Health. 2014;30(1):71-81. https://doi.org/10.1002/smi.2499
https://doi.org/10.1002/smi.2499... . Others found an association between Burnout and low levels of empathy³⁰30. Yuguero O, Ramon Marsal J, Esquerda M, Vivanco L, Soler-González J. Association between low empathy and high burnout among primary care physicians and nurses in Lleida, Spain. Eur J Gen Pract. 2017;23(1):4-10. https://doi.org/10.1080/13814788.2016.1233173
https://doi.org/10.1080/13814788.2016.12... because if the environment is toxic, it changes the dynamics at work and generates stress.

The characteristics of this study do not allow us to draw general conclusions. But it can expose the possibility of reducing professional fatigue by applying measures that reduce the stress in the work and to improve the quality of life of the workers. The efficacy that professionals who need help may have is doubtful¹⁶16. Albaladejo R, Villanueva R, Ortega P, Astasio P, Calle ME, Domínguez V. Síndrome de Burnout en el personal de enfermería de un hospital de Madrid. Rev Esp Salud Publica. 2004;78(4):505-16.. Professional vocation, certain personality traits, and well-rounded teamwork, with clear, realistic goals and assumed by all, are the best antidote to Burnout. Professionals with a positive personality, optimism and self-efficacy are less likely to be exhausted¹⁰10. Cañadas-De la Fuente GA, Vargas C, San Luis C, García I, Cañadas GR, De la Fuente EI. Risk factors and prevalence of burnout syndrome in the nursing profession. Int J Nurs Stud. 2015;52(1):240-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2014.07.001
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2014.... , findings also observed in our study.

Among the limitations of our study is its cross-sectional design, which does not allow conclusions to be drawn by chance or directionality of the relations between the studied variables. Longitudinal studies would be necessary to analyze these relationships. There is a possible distortion of selection since with the participation being voluntary and anonymous, the most proactive professionals are the most participative. The low number of participants is another limitation, given the small size of the organization, which prevents the extrapolation of the results obtained.

Our professionals present an average level of professional fatigue, similar to that obtained in other studies performed in primary care or in chronic care hospitals, although the emotional component affects more our environment.

The prevalence of Burnout varied significantly as a function of the cut-off points applied. This confirms the importance of using normative values according to the characteristics of the studied population to avoid cross-cultural distortions in the interpretation of the results.

REFERENCES

¹
Maslach C, Schaufeli WB, Leiter MP. Job burnout. Annu Rev Psychol 2001;52:397-422. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.psych.52.1.397
» https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.psych.52.1.397
²
Maslach C, Jackson SE. Maslach Burnout Inventory. 2.ed. Palo Alto: Consulting Psychologists Press; 1986.
³
Shirom A, Melamed S. A comparison of the construct validity of two burnout measures in two groups of professionals. Int J Stress Manag 2006;13(2):176-200. https://doi.org/10.1037/1072-5245.13.2.176
» https://doi.org/10.1037/1072-5245.13.2.176
⁴
Taris TW, Le Blanc PM, Schaufeli WB, Schreurs PJG. Are there causal relationships between the dimensions of the Maslach Burnout Inventory? A review and two longitudinal tests. Work Stress 2005;19(3):238-55. https://doi.org/10.1080/02678370500270453
» https://doi.org/10.1080/02678370500270453
⁵
Loera B, Converso D, Viotti S. Evaluating the psychometric properties of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS) among Italian nurses: how many factors must a researcher consider? PLoS One 2014;9(12):e114987. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0114987
» https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0114987
⁶
Lee RT, Seo B, Hladkyj S, Lovell BL, Schwartzmann L. Correlates of physician burnout across regions and specialties: a meta-analysis. Hum Resour Health 2013;11:48. https://doi.org/10.1186/1478-4491-11-48
» https://doi.org/10.1186/1478-4491-11-48
⁷
Grau-Alberola E, Gil-Monte PR, García-Juesas JA, Figueiredo-Ferraz H. Incidence of burnout in Spanish nursing professionals: a longitudinal study. Int J Nurs Stud 2010;47(8):1013-20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2009.12.022
» https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2009.12.022
⁸
Kim H, Juye Ji. Factor structure and longitudinal invariance of the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Res Soc Work Pract 2009;19(3):325-39.
⁹
Gil-Monte PR, Peiró JM. Un estudio comparativo sobre criterios normativos y diferenciales para el diagnóstico del síndrome de quemarse por el trabajo (burnout) según el MBI-HSS en España. Rev Psicol Trab Organ 2000;16(2):135-49.
¹⁰
Cañadas-De la Fuente GA, Vargas C, San Luis C, García I, Cañadas GR, De la Fuente EI. Risk factors and prevalence of burnout syndrome in the nursing profession. Int J Nurs Stud 2015;52(1):240-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2014.07.001
» https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2014.07.001
¹¹
Seisdedos-Cubero N. Versión española del Maslac h Burnout Inventory. Madrid: Ediciones TEA; 1997
¹²
Schaufeli WB, Van Dierendonck D. A cautionary note about the cross-national and clinical validity of cut-off points for the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Psychol Rep 1995;76(3 Pt 2):1083-90.
¹³
Neira MC. Cuando se enferman los que curan: estrés laboral y burnout en los profesionales de la salud. Buenos Aires: Gambacop; 2004.
¹⁴
Grau A, Suñer R, García MM. Desgaste profesional en el personal sanitario y su relación con los factores personales y ambientales. Gac Sanit 2005 [cited 2017 Nov 29];19(6):463-70. Available from: http://scielo.isciii.es/pdf/gs/v19n6/original6.pdf
» http://scielo.isciii.es/pdf/gs/v19n6/original6.pdf
¹⁵
Prieto Albino L, Robles Agüero E, Salazar Martínez LM, Daniel Vega E. Burnout en médicos de atención primaria de la provincia de Cáceres. Aten Primaria 2002;29(5):294-302. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0212-6567(02)70567-2
» https://doi.org/10.1016/S0212-6567(02)70567-2
¹⁶
Albaladejo R, Villanueva R, Ortega P, Astasio P, Calle ME, Domínguez V. Síndrome de Burnout en el personal de enfermería de un hospital de Madrid. Rev Esp Salud Publica 2004;78(4):505-16.
¹⁷
Pera G, Serra-Prat M. Prevalencia del síndrome del quemado y estudio de los factores asociados en los trabajadores de un hospital comarcal. Gac Sanit 2002 [cited 2017 Nov 29];16(6):480-6. Available from: http://scielo.isciii.es/pdf/gs/v16n6/original2.pdf
» http://scielo.isciii.es/pdf/gs/v16n6/original2.pdf
¹⁸
Jiménez Blanco S, Frutos LLanes R, Blanco Montagut LE. Síndrome de Burnout: estudio de la prevalencia y factores de riesgo en los profesionales de enfermería de Atención Primaria de Ávila. Rev Enferm Cyl 2011 [cited 2017 Nov 29];3(2):13-24. Available from: http://www.revistaenfermeriacyl.com/index.php/revistaenfermeriacyl/article/view/60/47
» http://www.revistaenfermeriacyl.com/index.php/revistaenfermeriacyl/article/view/60/47
¹⁹
Maldonado G, Greenland S. Simulation study of confounder-selection strategies. Am J Epidemiol 1993;138(11):923-36.
²⁰
Gil-Monte PR, Marucco MA. Prevalencia del “síndrome de quemarse por el trabajo” (burnout) en pediatras de hospitales generales. Rev Saude Publica 2008;42(3):450-6. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89102008000300009
» https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89102008000300009
²¹
Caballero Martín MA, Bermejo Fernández F, Nieto Gómez R, Caballero Martínez F. Prevalencia y factores asociados al burnout en un área de salud. Aten Primaria 2001;27(5):313-7.
²²
Domínguez Fernández JM, Herrera Clavero F, Villaverde Gutiérrez MC, Padilla Segura I, Martínez Bagur ML, Domínguez Fernández J. Síndrome de desgaste profesional en trabajadores de atención a la salud en el área sanitaria de Ceuta. Aten Primaria 2012;44(1):30-5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aprim.2011.01.004
» https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aprim.2011.01.004
²³
Fonseca M, Sanclemente G, Hernández C, Visiedo C, Bragulat E, Miró O. Residentes, guardias y síndrome de burnout. Rev Clin Esp (Barc) 2010;210(5):209-15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rce.2009.12.006
» https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rce.2009.12.006
²⁴
Reyna C, Bracco C. Síndrome de Burnout y estrategias de afrontamiento en acompañantes terapéuticos. Rev Invest Psicol 2011;14(2);31-45. https://doi.org/10.15381/rinvp.v14i2.2098
» https://doi.org/10.15381/rinvp.v14i2.2098
²⁵
Schaufeli WB, Bakker AB, Hoogduin K, Schaap C, Kladler A. On the clinical validity of the Maslach burnout inventory and the burnout measure. Psychol Health 2001;16(5):565-82. https://doi.org/10.1080/08870440108405527
» https://doi.org/10.1080/08870440108405527
²⁶
Atance Martínez C. Aspectos epidemiológicos del síndrome de Burnout en personal sanitario. Rev Esp Salud Publica 1997 [cited 2017 Nov 29];71(3):293-303. Available from: http://scielo.isciii.es/pdf/resp/v71n3/burnout.pdf
» http://scielo.isciii.es/pdf/resp/v71n3/burnout.pdf
²⁷
Teixeira C, Ribeiro O, Fonseca AM, Carvalho AS. Burnout in intensive care units: a consideration of the possible prevalence and frequency of new risk factors: a descriptive correlational multicentre study. BMC Anesthesiol 2013;13(1):38. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2253-13-38
» https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2253-13-38
²⁸
Mingote Adán JC, Moreno Jiménez B, Gálvez Herrer M. Desgaste profesional y salud de los profesionales médicos: revisión y propuestas de prevención. Med Clin 2004;123(7):265-70.
²⁹
Salanova M, Del Líbano M, Llorens S, Schaufeli WB. Engaged, workaholic, burned-out or just 9-to-5? Toward a typology of employee well-being. Stress Health 2014;30(1):71-81. https://doi.org/10.1002/smi.2499
» https://doi.org/10.1002/smi.2499
³⁰
Yuguero O, Ramon Marsal J, Esquerda M, Vivanco L, Soler-González J. Association between low empathy and high burnout among primary care physicians and nurses in Lleida, Spain. Eur J Gen Pract 2017;23(1):4-10. https://doi.org/10.1080/13814788.2016.1233173
» https://doi.org/10.1080/13814788.2016.1233173

Publication Dates

Publication in this collection
03 May 2018

History

Received
18 May 2017
Accepted
30 July 2017

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

[1] ¹
Maslach C, Schaufeli WB, Leiter MP. Job burnout. Annu Rev Psychol 2001;52:397-422. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.psych.52.1.397
» https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.psych.52.1.397

[2] ²
Maslach C, Jackson SE. Maslach Burnout Inventory. 2.ed. Palo Alto: Consulting Psychologists Press; 1986.

[3] ³
Shirom A, Melamed S. A comparison of the construct validity of two burnout measures in two groups of professionals. Int J Stress Manag 2006;13(2):176-200. https://doi.org/10.1037/1072-5245.13.2.176
» https://doi.org/10.1037/1072-5245.13.2.176

[4] ⁴
Taris TW, Le Blanc PM, Schaufeli WB, Schreurs PJG. Are there causal relationships between the dimensions of the Maslach Burnout Inventory? A review and two longitudinal tests. Work Stress 2005;19(3):238-55. https://doi.org/10.1080/02678370500270453
» https://doi.org/10.1080/02678370500270453

[5] ⁵
Loera B, Converso D, Viotti S. Evaluating the psychometric properties of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS) among Italian nurses: how many factors must a researcher consider? PLoS One 2014;9(12):e114987. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0114987
» https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0114987

[6] ⁶
Lee RT, Seo B, Hladkyj S, Lovell BL, Schwartzmann L. Correlates of physician burnout across regions and specialties: a meta-analysis. Hum Resour Health 2013;11:48. https://doi.org/10.1186/1478-4491-11-48
» https://doi.org/10.1186/1478-4491-11-48

[7] ⁷
Grau-Alberola E, Gil-Monte PR, García-Juesas JA, Figueiredo-Ferraz H. Incidence of burnout in Spanish nursing professionals: a longitudinal study. Int J Nurs Stud 2010;47(8):1013-20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2009.12.022
» https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2009.12.022

[8] ⁸
Kim H, Juye Ji. Factor structure and longitudinal invariance of the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Res Soc Work Pract 2009;19(3):325-39.

[9] ⁹
Gil-Monte PR, Peiró JM. Un estudio comparativo sobre criterios normativos y diferenciales para el diagnóstico del síndrome de quemarse por el trabajo (burnout) según el MBI-HSS en España. Rev Psicol Trab Organ 2000;16(2):135-49.

[10] ¹⁰
Cañadas-De la Fuente GA, Vargas C, San Luis C, García I, Cañadas GR, De la Fuente EI. Risk factors and prevalence of burnout syndrome in the nursing profession. Int J Nurs Stud 2015;52(1):240-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2014.07.001
» https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2014.07.001

[11] ¹¹
Seisdedos-Cubero N. Versión española del Maslac h Burnout Inventory. Madrid: Ediciones TEA; 1997

[12] ¹²
Schaufeli WB, Van Dierendonck D. A cautionary note about the cross-national and clinical validity of cut-off points for the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Psychol Rep 1995;76(3 Pt 2):1083-90.

[13] ¹³
Neira MC. Cuando se enferman los que curan: estrés laboral y burnout en los profesionales de la salud. Buenos Aires: Gambacop; 2004.

[14] ¹⁴
Grau A, Suñer R, García MM. Desgaste profesional en el personal sanitario y su relación con los factores personales y ambientales. Gac Sanit 2005 [cited 2017 Nov 29];19(6):463-70. Available from: http://scielo.isciii.es/pdf/gs/v19n6/original6.pdf
» http://scielo.isciii.es/pdf/gs/v19n6/original6.pdf

[15] ¹⁵
Prieto Albino L, Robles Agüero E, Salazar Martínez LM, Daniel Vega E. Burnout en médicos de atención primaria de la provincia de Cáceres. Aten Primaria 2002;29(5):294-302. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0212-6567(02)70567-2
» https://doi.org/10.1016/S0212-6567(02)70567-2

[16] ¹⁶
Albaladejo R, Villanueva R, Ortega P, Astasio P, Calle ME, Domínguez V. Síndrome de Burnout en el personal de enfermería de un hospital de Madrid. Rev Esp Salud Publica 2004;78(4):505-16.

[17] ¹⁷
Pera G, Serra-Prat M. Prevalencia del síndrome del quemado y estudio de los factores asociados en los trabajadores de un hospital comarcal. Gac Sanit 2002 [cited 2017 Nov 29];16(6):480-6. Available from: http://scielo.isciii.es/pdf/gs/v16n6/original2.pdf
» http://scielo.isciii.es/pdf/gs/v16n6/original2.pdf

[18] ¹⁸
Jiménez Blanco S, Frutos LLanes R, Blanco Montagut LE. Síndrome de Burnout: estudio de la prevalencia y factores de riesgo en los profesionales de enfermería de Atención Primaria de Ávila. Rev Enferm Cyl 2011 [cited 2017 Nov 29];3(2):13-24. Available from: http://www.revistaenfermeriacyl.com/index.php/revistaenfermeriacyl/article/view/60/47
» http://www.revistaenfermeriacyl.com/index.php/revistaenfermeriacyl/article/view/60/47

[19] ¹⁹
Maldonado G, Greenland S. Simulation study of confounder-selection strategies. Am J Epidemiol 1993;138(11):923-36.

[20] ²⁰
Gil-Monte PR, Marucco MA. Prevalencia del “síndrome de quemarse por el trabajo” (burnout) en pediatras de hospitales generales. Rev Saude Publica 2008;42(3):450-6. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89102008000300009
» https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89102008000300009

[21] ²¹
Caballero Martín MA, Bermejo Fernández F, Nieto Gómez R, Caballero Martínez F. Prevalencia y factores asociados al burnout en un área de salud. Aten Primaria 2001;27(5):313-7.

[22] ²²
Domínguez Fernández JM, Herrera Clavero F, Villaverde Gutiérrez MC, Padilla Segura I, Martínez Bagur ML, Domínguez Fernández J. Síndrome de desgaste profesional en trabajadores de atención a la salud en el área sanitaria de Ceuta. Aten Primaria 2012;44(1):30-5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aprim.2011.01.004
» https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aprim.2011.01.004

[23] ²³
Fonseca M, Sanclemente G, Hernández C, Visiedo C, Bragulat E, Miró O. Residentes, guardias y síndrome de burnout. Rev Clin Esp (Barc) 2010;210(5):209-15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rce.2009.12.006
» https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rce.2009.12.006

[24] ²⁴
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2013 Group	2016 Group	Population characteristics of survey participants		2013	2016	Statistical significance
Mean (SD)/n (%)	Mean (SD)/n (%)	Population characteristics of survey participants		(n = 100)a	(n = 101)a	p (95%CI)
Age: 44.25 (8.2)	Age: 48.4 (8.7)	Age (years) - mean (SD)		45.1 (8.96)	47.2 (9.68)	p = 0.50
Female: 262 (81.2)	Female: 251 (80.4)	Gender - n (%)				p = 0.71
Type of contract	Type of contract		Women	80 (81.6)	82 (83.7)
Fixed: 78 (24.2)	Fixed: 80 (25.6)	Type of contract - n (%)				p = 0.99a
Non-fixed: 245 (75.8)	Non-fixed: 232 (74.4)		Fixed:	38 (38.0)	41 (41.4)
Professional category	Professional category		Interim	53 (53.0)	48 (48.5)	OR = 0.84 (0.47–1.51)
Doctors: 25 (7.7)	Doctors: 25 (8)		Accumulation of tasks	1 (1.0)	0 (0.0)	Not available for evaluation
NUG: 96 (29.7)	NUG: 92 (29.5)		Eventual	8 (8.0)	10 (10.1)	OR = 1.16 (0.41–3.24)
Nursing Assistant: 91 (28.2)	Nursing assistant: 89 (28.5)	Professional category - n (%)				p = 0.02a.b
Janitors: 42 (13)	Janitors: 41 (13.1)		Doctors	6 (6.1)	16 (16.0)
Others 69 (21.4)	Others 65 (20.7)		NUG	39 (39.4)	44 (44.0)	OR = 0.42 (0.15–1.19)
			Nursing assistant	37 (37.4)	33 (33.0)	OR = 0.33 (0.12–0.95)
			Janitors	11 (11.1)	5 (5.9)	OR = 0.17 (0.04–0.70)
			Others	6 (6.1)	2 (2.0)	OR = 0.13 (0.02–0.80)
		Years of experience - n (%):				p = 0.03a.b
			< 5	8 (8.0)	4 (4.0)
			5–9	20 (20.0)	17 (17.0)	OR = 1.70 (0.44–6.65)
			10–14	26 (26.0)	19 (19.0)	OR = 1.46 (0.38–5.57)
			15–19	21 (21.0)	21 (21.0)	OR = 2.00 (0.52–7.67)
			≥ 20	25 (25.0)	39 (39.0)	OR = 3.12 (0.85–11.4)
		Years of experience - n (%):				p = 0.90a
			< 5	42 (42.4)	40 (39.6)
			5–9	29 (29.3)	30 (29.7)	OR = 1.09 (0.56–2.12)
			10–14	18 (18.2)	8 (7.9)	OR = 0.47 (0.18–1.19)
			15–19	5 (5.1)	7 (6.9)	OR = 1.47 (0.43–5.01)
			≥ 20	5 (5.1)	7 (6.9)	OR = 1.47 (0.43–5.01)
		Marital status - n (%):				p = 0.43a
			Single	19 (19.0)	14 (14.6)
			Married or with family	66 (66.0)	67 (69.8)	OR = 1.38 (0.64–2.97)
			Divorced	12 (12.0)	12 (12.5)	OR = 1.36 (0.47–3.90)
			Widowed	2 (2.0)	3 (3.1)	OR = 2.04 (0.30–13.85)
		Firings in the last year - n (%)		23 (23.0)	17 (16.8)	p = 0.27
		Chronic disease - n (%)		30 (30.6)	25 (24.8)	p = 0.36
		Received specific training - n (%)		71 (72.4)	61 (61.0)	p = 0.09
		Feels valued by patients - n (%)		71 (83.5)	80 (92.0)	p = 0.09
		Feels appreciated by family members - n (%)		62 (73.8)	72 (86.7)	p = 0.04b
		Feels appreciated by co-workers - n (%)		78 (85.7)	78 (84.8)	p = 0.86
		Feels appreciated by bosses - n (%)		59 (66.3)	64 (68.8)	p = 0.72
		What is your overall appreciation of your work experience? - mean (SD)		7.73 (1.78)	7.55 (1.72)	p = 0.48
		Do you consider yourself an optimist? - mean (SD)		7.79 (1.91)	7.83 (1.65)	p = 0.87
		What is the value of your earnings in relation to the work you do? - mean (SD)		4.79 (2.51)	4.89 (2.29)	p = 0.77
		Do you believe that you perform well in your daily work (self-efficacy)? - mean (SD)		8.43 (1.41)	8.37 (1.16)	p = 0.74
		Do you feel supported in your personal life (friends, family etc.)? - mean (SD)		8.55 (1.65)	8.90 (1.17)	p = 0.09

Subscales		2013	2016	Difference (95%CI)*	Statistical significance p*
Emotional fatigue	Mean (SD)	21.6 (10.7)	21.5 (12.9)	-0.07 (-3.37–3.23)	-
	33 percentile	17	14	-3.0 (-0.3–6.3)	-
	66 percentile	25	26	1 (-2.3–4.3)	-
Depersonalization	Mean (SD)	6.9 (5.2)	4.7 (5.2)	-2.20 (-3.65– -0.76)	0.003
	33 percentile	4	4	0 (-1.44–1.44)	-
	66 percentile	8	6	-2 (0.56–3.44)	< 0.05
Personal fulfillment	Mean (SD)	36.3 (8.0)	41.7 (6.8)	5.34 (3.27–7.40)	< 0.001
	33 percentile	38	46	8 (5.94–10.1)	< 0.05
	66 percentile	34	40	6 (3.94–8.06)	< 0.05

Normative criteria	Subscales	Cut-off points	Degree of affectation	2013	2016	Significación estadística p*
Normative criteria	Mean (SD)	Cut-off points	Degree of affectation	n (%)	n (%)	Significación estadística p*
Cut-off points per tertiles, as recommended by Maslach Cut made in 2013 (n = 100)	Emotional fatigue 21.6 (10.7)	≤ 17	Low	37 (37.0)	46 (45.5)	0.69
		18–25	Medium	31 (31.0)	20 (19.8)
		> 25	High	32 (32.0)	35 (34.7)
	Depersonalization 6.9 (5.2)	≤ 4	Low	33 (33.0)	57 (56.4)	0.007
		5–8	Medium	35 (35.0)	28 (27.7)
		> 8	High	32 (32.0)	16 (15.8)
	Personal fulfillment 36.3 (8.0)	> 38	Low	34 (34.0)	75 (74.2)	< 0.001
		34–38	Medium	33 (33.0)	14 (13.9)
		≤ 34	High	33 (33.0)	12 (11.9)
	Burnout	n (%)		5 (5.0)	3 (3.0)	0.46
Cut-off points of Maslach and Jackson EEUU, 1986 (health personnel) (n = 11,067)	Emotional fatigue 21.0 (10.7)	< 17	Low	32 (32.0)	41 (40.6)	0.24
		17–26	Medium	41 (41.0)	25 (24.8)
		≥ 27	High	27 (27.0)	35 (34.7)
	Depersonalization 8.7 (5.9)	< 7	Low	49 (49.0)	76 (75.2)	0.62
		7–12	Medium	40 (40.0)	16 (15.8)
		≥ 13	High	11 (11.0)	9 (8.9)
	Personal fulfillment 34.6 (7.1)	≥ 39	Low	34 (34.0)	75 (74.3)	0.01
		32–38	Medium	45 (45.0)	20 (19.8)
		< 32	High	21 (21.0)	6 (5.9)
	Burnout	n (%)		3 (3.0)	1 (1.0)	0.31
Cut-off points of Seisdedos Spain, 1997 (multi-occupational sample) (n = 1,138)	Emotional fatigue 22.2 (9.3)	< 15	Low	25 (25.0)	36 (35.6)	0.60
		15–24	Medium	39 (39.0)	25 (24.8)
		≥ 25	High	36 (36.0)	40 (39.6)
	Depersonalization 7.2 (5.2)	< 4	Low	27 (27.0)	56 (55.4)	0.07
		4–9	Medium	47 (47.0)	29 (28.7)
		≥ 10	High	26 (26.0)	16 (15.8)
	Personal fulfillment 36.5 (7.3)	≥ 40	Low	29 (29.0)	70 (69.3)	0.002
		33–39	Medium	49 (49.0)	24 (23.8)
		< 33	High	22 (22.0)	7 (6.9)
	Burnout	n (%)		7 7.0)	3 (3.0)	0.19
Cut-off points of Gil-monte and Peiró Spain, 2000 (multi-occupational sample) (n = 1,188)	Emotional fatigue 20.4 (11.0)	< 16	Low	30 (30.0)	39 (38.6)	0.60
		16–24	Medium	34 (34.0)	22 (21.8)
		≥ 25	High	36 (36.0)	40 (39.6)
	Depersonalization 6.4 (5.3)	< 4	Low	27 (27.0)	56 (55.4)	0.01
		4–8	Medium	41 (41.0)	28 (27.7)
		≥ 9	High	32 (32.0)	17 (16.8)
	Personal fulfillment 36.0 (7.3)	≥ 40	Low	29 (29.0)	70 (69.3)	< 0.001
		36–39	Medium	30 (30.0)	15 (14.9)
		< 36	High	41 (41.0)	16 (15.8)
	Burnout	n (%)		14 (14.0)	5 (5.0)	0.03
Cut-off points of Neira Argentina, 2004 (health personnel) (n = 1,152)	Emotional fatigue 18.7 (11.4)	< 12	Low	17 (17.0)	23 (22.8)	0.61
		12–21	Medium	42 (44.0)	33 (32.7)
		≥ 22	High	41 (41.0)	45 (44.6)
	Depersonalization 6.1 (5.8)	< 3	Low	20 (20.0)	45 (44.6)	< 0.001
		3–6	Medium	29 (29.0)	31 (30.7)
		≥ 7	High	51 (51.0)	25 (24.8)
	Personal fulfillment 37.3 (7.8)	≥ 41	Low	29 (29.0)	70 (69.3)	< 0.001
		36–40	Medium	30 (30.0)	15 (14.9)
		< 36	High	41 (41.0)	16 (15.8)
	Burnout	n (%)		20 (20.0)	5 (5.0)	0.001
Cut-off points of Schaufeli Holanda, 1995 (multi-occupational sample diagnosed with Burnout) (n = 142)	Emotional fatigue 28.6 (10.1)	<26	Low	17 (17.0)	23 (22.8)	0.61
		26-33	Medium	42 (42.0)	33 (32.7)
		≥ 34	High	41 (41.0)	45 (44.6)
	Depersonalization 9.3 (4.9)	< 6	Low	40 (40.0)	66 (65.3)	0.15
		6-11	Medium	42 (42.0)	24 (23.8)
		≥ 12	High	18 (18.0)	11 (10.9)
	Personal fulfillment 27.0 (5.7)	≥ 29	Low	86 (86.0)	98 (97.0)	0.11
		26-28	Medium	6 (6.0)	0 (0.0)
		< 26	High	8 (8.0)	3 (3.0)
	Burnout	n (%)		3 (3.0)	1 (1.0)	0.31*

Normative criteria	Emotional fatigue		Depersonalization		Personal fulfillment		Burnout
	2013	2016	2013	2016	2013	2016	2013	2016
	n (N)	n (N)	n (N)	n (N)	n (N)	n (N)	n (N)	n (N)
	p*	p*	p*	p*	p*	p*	p*	p*
Gil-Monte (Reference category)	36 (64)	40 (61)	32 (68)	17 (84)	41 (59)	16 (85)	14 (86)	5 (96)
Maslach	27 (73) 0.17*	35 (66) 0.467*	11 (89) < 0.001*	9 (92) 0.09*	21 (79) 0.002*	6 (95) 0.02*	3 (97) 0.005*	1 (100) 0.09*
Seisdedos	36 (64) 1*	40 (61) 1*	26 (74) 0.35*	16 (85) 0.85*	22 (78) 0.003*	7 (94) 0.04*	7 (93 0.1*	3 (98) 0.47*
Neira	41 (59) 0.46*	45 (56) 0.47*	51 (49) 0.006*	25 (76) 0.16*	41 (59) 1*	16 (85) 1*	20 (80) 0.25*	5 (96) 1*
Schaufeli	41 (59) 0.46*	45 (56) 0.47*	18 (82) 0.02*	11 (90) 0.22*	8 (92) < 0.001*	3 (98) 0.001*	3 (97) 0.005*	1 (100) 0.09*

Variable			Emotional fatigue		Depersonalization		Personal fulfillment		Burnout
Variable			High affectation total; n (%)	Adjusted OR (95%CI)	Alta afectación/total; n (%)	Adjusted O (95%CI)	Burnout/total n (%)	Adjusted OR (95%CI)	Burnout/total n (%)	Adjusted OR (95%CI)
Age (years)	2013	< 50	26/65 (40.0)	2.5a	22/65 (33.8)	2.1a	28/65 (43.1)	5.9a,g	9/65 (13.8)	2.6a
	2013	≥ 50	6/25 (24.0)	(0.8–8.1)	6/25 (24)	(0.6–6.9)	6/25 (24.0)	(1.5–23.9)	3/25 (12.0)	(0.4–15.8)
	2016	< 50	26/58 (44.8)	1.7a	14/62 (22.6)	7.4a	10/60 (16.7)	1.0a	5/63 (7.9)	No
	2016	≥ 50	8/25 (32.0)	(0.6–5.2)	1/28 (3.6)	(0.8–66.1)	10/27 (11.1)	(0.2–4.7)	0/28 (0)	valorable
Specific training	2013	No	8/27 (29.6)	0.7f	8/27 (29.6)	0.8f	14/27 (51.9)	2.1f	4/27 (14.8)	1.3f
	2013	Si	27/71 (38.0)	(0.3–2.2)	23/71 (32.4)	(0.3–2.4)	26/71 (36.6)	(0.8–6.0)	9/71 (12.7)	(0.3–5.7)
	2016	No	15/34 (44.1)	1.4f	7/38 (18.4)	0.5f	10/38 (26.3)	4.5f,g	3/39 (7.7)	1.5f
	2016	Si	21/58 (36.2)	(0.5–4.0)	9/62 (14.5)	(0.1–2.1)	5/59 (8.5)	(1.1–17.9)	2/62 (3.2)	(0.2–13.5)
Appreciated by patients	2013	No	7/14 (50.0)	3.7f	7/14 (50.0)	3.2f	10/14 (71.4)	5.3f,g	4/14 (28.6)	4.2f
	2013	Si	22/71 (31.0)	(0.9–15.6)	18/71 (25.4)	(0.8–13.5)	23/71 (32.4)	(1.2–24.8)	6/71 (8.5)	(0.8–22.9)
	2016	No	5/6 (83.3)	8.4f	2/7 (28.6)	3.1f	4/7 (57.1)	4.4f	2/7 (28.6)	15.4f
	2016	Si	24/76 (31.6)	(0.9–82.0)	11/81 (13.6)	(0.4–26.1)	10/77 (13.0)	(0.7–27.0)	2/81 (2.5)	(0.9–260)
Appreciated by relatives	2013	No	11/22 (50.0)	4.2f,g	10/22 (45.5)	2.9f	13/22 (59.1)	3.1f	6/22 (27.3)	4.6f,g
	2013	Si	18/62 (29.0)	(1.2–14.7)	16/62 (25.8)	(0.9–0.8)	21/62 (33.9)	(0.9–10.5)	5/62 (8.1)	(1.01–21)
	2016	No	8/10 (80.0)	5.7f,g	4/11 (36.4)	2.5f	5/11 /45.5)	5.4f,g	3/11 (27.3)	24.4f,g
	2016	Si	20/68 (29.4)	(1.1–32.5)	8/73 (11.0)	(0.4–15.3)	8/70 (11.4)	(1.1-29.0)	1/73 (1.4)	(1.3–450)
Appreciated by superior	2013	No	8/30 (26.7)	0.6f	8/30 (26.7)	0.9f	13/30 (43.3)	1.4f	4/30 (13.3)	1.0f
	2013	Si	24/59 (40.7)	(0.2–1.8)	18/59 (30.5)	(0.3–2.7)	22/59 (37.3)	(0.5-3.8)	7/59 (11.9)	(0.2–4.7)
	2016	No	14/25 (56.0)	3.3f,g	6/28 (21.4)	1.3f	9/29 (31.0)	9.7f,g	5/29 (17.2)	No
	2016	Si	18/60 (30.0)	(1.1–10.1)	10/65 (15.4)	(0.3–4.8)	4/61 (6.6)	(1.7–54.3)	0/65 (0)	valorable
Professional experience	2013	↑Perception	11/31 (35.5)	1.1c	9/31 (29.0)	1.1c	5/31 (16.1)	0.3c,g	4/31 (12.9)	1.2c
	2013	Rest	24/68 (35.3)	(0.4–2.8)	23/68 (33.8)	(0.4–2.9)	35/68 (51.5)	(0.08–0.8)	10/68 (14.7)	(0.3–4.8)
	2016	↑Perception	5/21 (23.8)	0.6c	1/26 (3.8)	0.4c	2/26 (7.7)	0.2c	0/26 (0)	No
	2016	Rest	31/71 (43.7)	(0.2–2.2)	15/74 (20.3)	(0.04–3.5)	13/71 (18.3)	(0.03–2.1)	5/75 (6.7)	valorable
Optimism	2013	↑Perception	16/45 (35.6)	1.0e	13/45 (28.9)	0.7e	9/45 (20.0)	0.2e,g	5/45 (11.1)	0.6e
	2013	Rest	19/54 (35.2)	(0.4–2.5)	19/54 (35.2)	(0.3–1.9)	31/54 (57.4)	(0.07–0.6)	9/54 (16.7)	(0.2–2.2)
	2016	↑Perception	8/31 (25.8)	0.3e	6/35 (17.1)	1.6e	3/33 (9.1)	0.3e	0/35 (0)	No
	2016	Rest	28/61 (45.9)	(0.1–1.0)	10/65 (15.4)	(0.4–5.8)	12/64 (18.8)	(0.07–1.8)	5/66 (7.6)	valorable
Social support	2013	↑Perception	20/63 (31.7)	0.4e	19/63 (30.2)	0.9e	21/63 (33.3)	0.3e,g	7/63 (50.0)	0.4e
	2013	Rest	16/37 (43.2)	(0.2–1.1)	13/37 (35.1)	(0.3–2.7)	20/37 (54.1)	(0.1–0.9)	7/37 (18.9)	(0.1–1.6)
	2016	↑Perception	19/59 (32.2)	0.6e	8/65 (12.3)	1.1e	4/63 (6.3)	0.07e,g	1/65 (1.5)	0.2e
	2016	Rest	17/33(51.5)	(0.2–1.6)	7/34 (20.6)	(0.3–3.8)	10/33 (30.3)	(0.01–0.4)	3/35 (8.6)	(0.02–2.1)

Saúde Pública

Saúde Pública

Burnout in the staff of a chronic care hospital

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE

METHODS

RESULTS

CONCLUSIONS

INTRODUCTION

METHODS

RESULTS

DISCUSSION

REFERENCES

Publication Dates

History