AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To analyse the prevalence, levels and phases of burnout syndrome in midwives and obstetrics and gynaecology nurses, and to evaluate the relationship between burnout and sociodemographic, occupational and psychological factors.

BACKGROUND

Burnout syndrome is a major problem in occupational health, characterised by feelings of exhaustion, depersonalisation and a low sense of personal achievement that appears after long-term occupational stress. Recent research has found that burnout harms the physical and mental well-being of workers, and jeopardises the quality of care provided. The association between burnout and a risk profile in maternity wards has not previously been investigated but it deserves special attention since it is a highly stressful area to work in.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional survey design was selected.

METHODS

A total of 150 nurses and midwives at 18 hospitals participated in this study. The data were collected using the Maslach Burnout Inventory, NEO Personality Inventory and the Educational-Clinical Questionnaire: Anxiety and Depression. This study adhered to the STROBE guideline.

RESULTS

17% of participants presented high levels of emotional exhaustion, 16.6% high depersonalisation and 55.1% a sense of low personal accomplishment. The sociodemographic and occupational variables related to burnout were gender, marital status and work shift. The three dimensions of the syndrome, emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and personal accomplishment were predicted by depression, neuroticism, agreeableness and openness.

CONCLUSIONS

One third of the sample presented high levels of burnout, which was most strongly experienced as feelings of low personal accomplishment. Furthermore, personality factors play an important role in the development of burnout syndrome.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Managers and policy makers should promote strategies to reduce burnout. To prevent the syndrome, personality factors should be taken into account, for the early identification of a profile of professionals most at risk of developing burnout.