Study of the professional burnout syndrome in the personnel of a university hospital

OBJECTIVE Professional burnout is described as a syndrome of physical and emotional exhaustion. It has a variety of repercussions in health professionals, because it complicates their communication with patients and downgrades the quality of the health services provided in hospitals. The aim of this study was to examine the level of professional burnout of the personnel in the University Hospital in Heraklion in relation to demographic variables and occupational-managerial characteristics, and to propose necessary interventions for the support of the personnel. METHOD The study sample consisted of 218 health workers from various different departments and clinics of the hospital. The method used was the self-completion of anonymous questionnaire. RESULTS Professional burnout ranged at moderate levels for all three dimensions. Emotional fatigue and depersonalization ranged in much higher levels in the nurses than in other health professionals. Depersonalization was found to be related to age and level of education, while gender, marital status and years in the profession where not associated with burnout. Several factors related to the job and the managerial-organizational environment appear to affect, positively or negatively, the three dimensions of the burnout syndrome. CONCLUSIONS The early recognition of the problem of professional burnout and taking appropriate measures are necessary to prevent burnout and restrict its repercussions on hospital care.