[Prevalence and factors associated with burnout in a health area]

The main objective was to determine the prevalence of the burnout syndrome among health workers and its distribution by social, demographic and work variables. The secondary aim was to detect potentially modifiable causes.

Descriptive cross-sectional study.

Primary care.

All the 354 doctors, nurses and clinical auxiliaries belonging to the 22 primary care teams of Area VI, Madrid.

A self-administered, anonymous questionnaire was sent out by internal mail. This had three instruments: a questionnaire on social and demographic variables, the validated questionnaire known as the Maslach Burnout Inventory and an open opinion section. High levels of burnout were detected: 30.6% in the high range on the emotional tiredness sub-scale, with higher scores among men (p = 0.026). There were also more paediatric staff affected in personal achievements. There was scant relationship of the syndrome to social variables. 43.9% thought they suffered or had suffered from some kind of physical or psychological disorder directly related to exercising their profession. 38.3% associated directly their burnout with the excess demand habitually experienced in clinics.

We detected worryingly high levels of this syndrome among our professionals, similar to other surveys in Spain. The subjects of the survey linked their unease with certain work factors that could easily be modified. The training received in techniques of self-control and stress management is clearly insufficient.