Burnout Syndrome: the Reality of ICU Physiotherapists

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the profile and prevalence of Burnout syndrome in physical therapists of public hospitals with intensive care units (ICU) in Recife, comparing them between adult, pediatric and neonatal units. A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out in five public hospitals with intensive care units in the city of Recife. A sociodemographic questionnaire, a questionnaire for stressors and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MIB) were used to assess the prevalence of the syndrome. The results indicated a percentage of Burnout of 48.72% for adult ICU professionals and 47.06% for pediatric and neonatal ICUs, considering a serious level in only one dimension. High scores were found in the Emotional Exhaustion indicators, with 56.42% in the adult ICU and 64.71% in the pediatric and neonatal ICUs. For Depersonalization 12.82% in adult ICU and 29.41% in other ICUs. As for Professional Realization, values of 17.65% in pediatric and neonatal ICUs and 33.33% in adults. The prevalence of Burnout syndrome was high among the evaluated physiotherapists. Given this, it is observed the need to develop preventive measures and intervention models, so that this effect is minimized.