A SÍNDROME DE BURNOUT NO CONTEXTO HOSPITALAR PEDIÁTRICO

Abstract

This study investigates the Burnout syndrome in professionals in the pediatric hospital context (Hospital das Clínicas / Universidade Federal de Goiás). Burnout - or chronic occupational stress - has been the preferred subject of research by many of those interested in questions pertaining to working class health. The goal was to identify, describe and comprehend these indicators of Burnout. Twenty-seven health workers, with at least an undergraduate education, participated as subjects (ten doctors, seven nurses, five medical residents, a social worker, a musical-therapist, a nutritionist, an educator and a psychologist). The instruments used were: the brief versions of the Burnout Questionnaire and the Resistance to Burnout Personality Questionnaire, complemented by a semi-structured interview. The quantitative analysis showed that the workers could not yet be characterized as having Burnout but had average scores in Burnout Processes. That is, they were already affected by factors that precede Burnout Syndrome. On the organizational factors the working teams showed low scores on the Task and Organization sub-scales. On the Tedium sub-scale nurses and resident doctors showed high scores, which indicate oncoming emotional exhaustion. On personality scores the doctors and other professionals showed high scores on Implication. In terms of Control both the residents and the other professionals showed low scores. Doctors and resident doctors showed high scores on Challenge. The personality questionnaire showed that only the doctors had high vulnerability to Burnout. Qualitative data showed that these professionals are being affected by the organizational variable, with psychosocial and physical disorders. Emotional exhaustion is represented by 57 mentions in the discourse, but professional satisfaction level was high. The most commonly cited stressors were: physical and psychological stressors, unsatisfactory working conditions, unsatisfactory work relations and excessive working hours. It is important to mention the importance of working alongside health institutions for the prevention of Burnout since the damages are not only for the individual, but for the group and organization as well. Finally, there is a need for continuous research on Burnout with professionals who work in other clinics related to the studied hospital.