[Frequency of burnout syndrome in office worker]

Burnout syndrome is a chronic, physical and emotional exhaustion associated with the intensity of stress at work, especially in occupations involving the provision of services. The purpose of the study was to establish the frequency of burnout syndrome in the group of office workers using computer and having direct contact with inquirers.

The study group consisted of 487 office workers, aged 37.4 +/- 10.6 years, mean value of duration of work with computer was 10.9 +/- 6.4 year. The Polish version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) was used in cross-sectional study.

The frequency of burnout syndrome concerned 4.15% of subjects, more frequently females (4.5%) than males (2.97%). Our results are similar to the published data on other occupational groups. Moreover, it was noted, that the highest depersonalization (cynicism) is rather linked with the younger age, whereas the emotional exhaustion and personal accomplishment were not related with age and employment duration.

To improve the quality of life in office workers using computer and having direct contact with inquirers it is essential to assess the frequency of burnout syndrome and also to develop and implement adequate preventive programs, including a well-constructed motivation system and appropriate work organization with well defined roles and duties, identification of sources of occupational stress and raising awareness of individual psychic hygiene among workers.