WORK AND BURNOUT SYNDROME OF INTENSIVE CARE PHYSICIANS FROM SALVADOR, BAHIA, BRAZIL

WORK AND BURNOUT SYNDROME OF INTENSIVE CARE PHYSICIANS FROM SALVADOR, BAHIA, BRAZIL OBJECTIVE. Describe prevalence of the Burnout syndrome in intensive care physicians of Salvador, associated to demographic data and aspects of the work environment (psychological demand and job control). METHODS. This cross sectional study has investigated the association between work conditions and Burnout Syndrome in a population of 297 Intensive Care Physicians from Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. An individual, self-report questionnaire evaluated the physicians' psychological aspects of work, using the demand-control model (Job Content Questionnaire) and their mental health, using the Maslash Burnout Inventory (MBI). RESULTS. The study found work overload,a high proportion of on duty physicians and low income for the hours worked. Prevalence of the Burnout Syndrome was 7.4% and it was more closely associated with aspects of the job's psychological demand than with its control. CONCLUSION. Physicians under great stress (high demand and low control) presented prevalence of the Bornout Syndrome 10.2 times higher than those under low stress (low demand and high control) jobs. [Rev Assoc Med Bras 2009, 55(6): 656 - 62]