einstein (São Paulo). 20/ago/2024;22:eAO0271.

Prevalence and risk factors of Burnout syndrome among intensive care unit members during the second wave of COVID-19: a single-center study

Verena Laila Moniz Barreto

Lima

, Fernando José da Silva

Ramos

, Paulo Henrique

Suher

, Maria Aparecida

Souza

, Fernando Godinho

Zampieri

, Flavia Ribeiro

Machado

, Flavio Geraldo Resende de

Freitas

DOI: 10.31744/einstein_journal/2024AO0271

Highlights

A  single-center study evaluated the prevalence and risk factors for Burnout syndrome in intensive care unit teams.
The study revealed a high prevalence of Burnout syndrome in at least one dimension.
Factors such as profession and having two or more jobs were associated with severe burnout symptoms.
The study highlighted the need for interventions and support to address burnout among intensive care unit teams.

ABSTRACT

Objective:

To evaluate the prevalence of burnout among the intensive care unit team of a university hospital after the second wave of COVID-19 and identify the key factors associated with its development.

Methods:

This single-center study included 395 employees from a multidisciplinary team. The participants completed a questionnaire based on the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Multivariate analysis was used to identify the factors associated with burnout.

Results:

Of 395 participants, 220 responded to the questionnaire (response rate: 56%). The prevalence of Burnout syndrome, defined as a severe score in at least one dimension, was 64.5% (142/220). Emotional distress was the most prevalent dimension, with a severe score affecting 50.5% (111/220) of the participants, followed by depersonalization at 39.1% (86/220). Only 5.9% (13/220) had severe scores in all three dimensions. Multivariate analysis revealed that being a physician was significantly associated with severe burnout symptoms in at least one dimension (odds ratio (OR), 1.32; 95% confidence interval (95%CI): 1.57-9.05; p=0.003). Additionally, having two or more jobs was associated with burnout in the three dimensions (OR=1.65; 95%CI=1.39-19.59; p=0.01).

Conclusion:

This study highlights the alarming prevalence of burnout among intensive care unit teams, particularly among physicians, following the second wave of COVID-19. This  emphasizes the need for targeted interventions and support systems to mitigate burnout and reduce its negative impact on healthcare professionals’ well-being and patient care.

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