Objective:

The aim of the study was to determine the burnout syndrome's prevalence in surgeons, surgery residents and medical students in a private institution using the Maslach Burnout Inventory and to analyze associated factors related to the presence of this syndrome.

Materials and methods:

Once approved by the Ethics and Research Committee from our Institution, the Maslach Burnout Inventory was used to identify the presence of burnout syndrome in a sample of 72 physicians at the surgery service. The diagnosis of burnout syndrome was defined as the association of a high level of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization with a low level of professional achievement. Its prevalence was determined and an analysis of demographic factors and bioethical training was performed. The relationship of these factors was examined concerning the syndrome's presence or absence, using Fisher's exact test, Chi-square, and Mann-Whitney U-test. Finally, a logistic univariate and multivariate regression analysis applied.

Results:

A 65% (Confidence interval 95% 54-76) burnout syndrome global prevalence was found. The prevalence found in medical students was 67%, in surgery residents 76%, and in surgeons 45.5%. Statistical significance was found between the absence of the syndrome and bioethics training (p = 0.000), presence of burnout syndrome, age (higher risk in young people, p = 0.020), and working hours per week (higher risk in subjects with higher workload p = 0.034). No statistical relationship was observed between the burnout syndrome and the gender or the medical position.

Conclusions:

High burnout syndrome prevalence was found in the medical population from the department of surgery at our institution. This study suggests that the proper knowledge of bioethical aspects in the practice of medicine is a cardinal element that protects against the development of burnout syndrome. The present study points toward an appropriate bioethics training as a preventive factor of the burnout syndrome.