Abstract

REIS, Carlos Daniel Costa. Prevalence of burnout syndrome in family doctors of the north regional section of the physicians’ order. Rev Port Med Geral Fam [online]. 2019, vol.35, n.3, pp.176-184. ISSN 2182-5173.  https://doi.org/10.32385/rpmgf.v35i3.12131.

Objectives: Family physicians are health professionals who make the first contact between patients and the health system, having a continuous and close interaction with the patients, which can trigger anxiety and fear. Negative feelings enhance physical and mental exhaustion that could lead to Burnout. The recent Portuguese conjuncture presents factors that could increase the prevalence of Burnout syndrome in family physicians. This study aims to re-evaluate the prevalence of Burnout syndrome in family physicians of the Northern Regional Section of the Medical Association. Design: Cross-sectional, observational and descriptive study with an analytical component. Local: Portugal. Population: Physicians enrolled as family physicians in the Northern Regional Section of the Medical Association. Methods: This study was conducted through an online questionnaire consisting of demographic and professional data and the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey, validated in Portuguese, sent to family physicians in the form of a census on 11 November 2016 and valid for submission of answers until 5 December 2016. Results: The prevalence of Burnout found in family physicians was 17.0% (95%CI; 13.1-20.9). The family physicians presented 66.0% with high emotional exhaustion (95%CI; 61.1-70.9), 45.7% with high depersonalization (95%CI; 40.5-50.9) and 48.2% with low professional achievement (95%CI; 43.0-53.4). Depersonalization was associated with males and individuals younger than 45 years. Burnout syndrome was also associated with age less than 45 years and with a duration of family physician activity of fewer than 20 years. Conclusions: The prevalence of Burnout syndrome was up to four times higher than the values obtained in previous studies. The associations found are consistent with those found in previous studies, and the syndrome is more prevalent in younger doctors with less experience as a family doctor.

Keywords : Prevalence; Stress; Psychological; Burnout, Professional; Physicians, Family; Portugal.

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