[Assessment of occupational stress among workers in rehabilitation medicine]

Emerging evidence confirms the risk of distress in staff involved in the Helping Professions resulting in the possibility of reduced efficacy and efficiency of the structure which offers health services. The aim of the present study was to reveal the presence of burnout and its relationships with environmental and organizational factors of health care professionals enrolled in medical rehabilitation. 88 health care professionals underwent a psychometric assessment by filling the Organizational Checkup System Questionnaire (OCS) for measuring burnout and associated organizational factors. Data analysis demonstrated the presence of major emotional distress (p = 0.05) in the group who had an executive role (social-assistants and assistant nurses), especially regarding organization factors linked with: Overwork (p = 0.009), lack of Leadership (p = 0.01), lack of Comprehension of modifications offered by the structure (p = 0.0001) and Professional Development (p = 0.016). OCS revealed to be a sensitive psychometric instrument, especially for the identification of organizational weaknesses, which can stimulate the application of strategies to prevent the burnout syndrome and to improve coping skills.