[Burnout-associated factors in anesthesia and intensive care medicine. 2009 survey of the French Society of anesthesiology and intensive care]

Abstract

Objective: To assess factors related to burnout in anesthesia and intensive care.

Design: National prospective observational study.

Materials and methods: Questionnaire posted on the French Society of anesthesia website from 3rd June 2009 to 27th August 2009: Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), Fast Alcohol Consumption Evaluation (FACE) and The Harvard National Depression Screening Day Scale (HANDS) scales and questions to assess health, work and personal life.

Results: One thousand six hundred and three questionnaires returned: 1091 anesthetists (67.6%), 241 intensivists (14.9%), 204 nurses (12.6%), emergency physicians (2.8%), supervisor nurses (0.9%). Seven hundred and sixty three in a university hospital (47.3%), 259 in a regional hospital (16.1%), 405 in a private structure (25.1%), 71 in a non-lucrative private structure (4.4%), 75 in a military hospital (4.6%). Rest of safety: 69.2% of institutions. Depression: 38.7%. Drug or chemicals addicted: 10.6%. Alcohol addicts: 10.6%. Among them, 62.3% of individuals were in burnout. Burnout was linked to fragmented sleep (P<0.00001), interpersonal conflicts (P<0.00001), perception of rest of safety (P<0.02), mental history (P<0.00001), suicidal ideations (P<0.00001), depression (P=0.00001), alcohol (P<0.002), drug consumption (P<0.00002), and accidents after a nightshift (P<0.05). Subjects in burnout intended more frequently to leave the profession (P<0.00001). Leaving in couple had a protective effect (P<0.005). The logistic regression model retained seven covariates independently associated with burnout: quality of work, of personal life, of fatigue, depression, conflicts with colleagues and patients, regretting the choice of specialty.

Conclusion: This study of the largest cohort of anesthesia personnel performed in France detects a high proportion of burnout. It highlights links with tensors that may constitute possibilities of prevention of the burnout syndrome.