[Burn-out risk in health workers at Alzheimer's units]

On the basis of their personal experience, the Authors try to identify the salient aspects of the occupational stress and of the consequent burn-out syndrome in the health personnel of the Alzheimer Units of Lombardy. In these structures, the initial motivations, the emotional involvement, and the effort required by the job make the staff at high risk. The syndrome generally evolves through four stages (idealistic enthusiasm, stagnation, frustration, apathy) and may easily become a collective problem, with worsening of the quality of care and dispersion of economical resources. The occupational physician, possibly with the collaboration of the psychologist, should adopt adequate preventive, therapeutic, and rehabilitative measures, regarding both the work organization (stress reduction, creation of a group consciousness) and the single (professional training, psychological support, health surveillance).