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

• Published in: Einstein (São Paulo, Brazil) Brazil), 2024-01, Vol.22, p.eAO0271
• Main Authors: Lima, Verena Laila Moniz Barreto, Ramos, Fernando José da Silva, Suher, Paulo Henrique, Souza, Maria Aparecida, Zampieri, Fernando Godinho, Machado, Flavia Ribeiro, Freitas, Flavio Geraldo Resende de
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Anxiety; Brazil - epidemiology; Burnout, Professional - epidemiology; Burnout, Professional - psychology; Burnout, psychological; COVID-19; COVID-19 - epidemiology; COVID-19 - psychology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Hospitals, University - statistics & numerical data; Humans; Intensive care units; Intensive Care Units - statistics & numerical data; Male; MEDICINE, GENERAL & INTERNAL; Middle Aged; Original; Pandemics; Prevalence; Risk Factors; SARS-CoV-2; Stress, psychological; Surveys and Questionnaires
• ISSN: 1679-4508; 2317-6385; 2317-6385
• DOI: 10.31744/einstein_journal/2024AO0271

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. 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. 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). 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.