Factors Associated with Burnout Syndrome Among Intensive Care Unit Professionals

Objective: Burnout syndrome (BS) is characterized by emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DEP) and reduced personal accomplishment (PA). Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) is a questionairre based on 22 questions to determine these three dimensions, seperately. In this study, our aim was to evaluate the prevelance and risk factors of BS in intensive care unit (ICU) employees by using MBI.Material and Methods: A survey involving demographical data, working years, level of ICU and profession, and MBI was applied to the ICU personnel. A total of 115 employees attended to the study.Results: When MBI results of 115 participants were evaluated, it was determined that 68.7% had high level of MBI-EE, 62.6% had high level of MBI-PAand 38.3% had moderate level of MBI-DEP. When subgroups were evaluated those with male gender, over 40 years of age, working in level 2 ICU, over 20 years of working year were found to be more vulnerable to experience BS. When professions were considered, physicians were found to be more prone to BS than nurses. Conclusion: Older and experienced professionals working in level 2 ICU are under risk of BS. Physicians were determined to be under more risk of BS when compared to nurses.