Behavior of professional burnout syndrome in doctors who worked at Coopesalud R.L, from August to October 2004

Abstract

Justification: The syndrome of professional burnt out produces negative personal and working place consequences in the medical personnel. Since international studies had demonstrated a high incidence of this syndrome and there is lack of national studies, it is justified to investigate this entity and its influence in the performance of medical personnel.

Aim: To determine if age, sex, civil status and years of labor affected the behavior of the syndrome of professional burnt out in the medical personnel of Coopesalud R.L. during the period of August to October of the 2004.

Method: In this study 45 persons of the medical staff were included (general practitioners and specialists) who worked for Coopesalud R.L, from August to October of 2004. The data was collected through questionnaires.

Results: Twenty percent of the cases, presented high levels of the syndrome, especially males (55.6%). Regarding age, 55.6% were in the range of 25-34 years of age (independently of the gender). Marital status made no difference. Almost 78% of the medical staff had 10 years or less of working experience. The most obvious affected dimension of the syndrome was emotional burnt out (100%).

Conclusions: The frequency of professional burnt out syndrome observed in the medical staff of Coopesalud R.L, is equal to the one mentioned in international literature. The age, the gender and the years of working experience have an impact in the behavior of the syndrome.