Prevalence, associated factors, and consequences of burnout among ICU healthcare workers: an Egyptian experience

Background Burnout is considered an epidemic in modern society, and the issue of occupational stress and burnout is receiving increasing attention worldwide. Aim The aim was to detect the prevalence of burnout syndrome (BO) among ICU health care workers in Canal health sector and to clarify its determinants and consequences. Patients and methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 147 physicians and 234 nurses. To detect the determinants of BO, data on sociodemographic variables, job-related issues, work environment, health problems, bad social habits as an outlet for job stress, committing unintended job-related mistakes, and infection control measures were collected. Burnout was assessed using the Maslach burnout inventory and its subscales. Results Regarding the total burnout scale, 68.2% of the study participants reported having a moderate level of burnout, with significant difference between physicians and nurses. More than half of the nurses had high emotional exhaustion compared with 38.8% of physicians. For the depersonalization subscale, 59.8% of nurses had higher scores compared with 70.1% of physicians (P<0.001). Approximately half the physicians experienced highly reduced feelings of personal accomplishment, and the rate was lower among nurses (P=0.001). Being resident physician, feeling unappreciated, and sleep deprivation were the predictors of burnout. Approximately one-third of them reported catching infection from patients. There was a negative correlation between loss of accomplishment subscale of BO and mortality. Conclusion Approximately one-quarter of nurses and physicians have high levels of BO syndrome. Being resident, sleep deprivation, and lack of appreciation were significant predictors of BO.