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

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.