RÉSUMÉ
Introducción. El síndrome de desgaste profesional (SDP) o síndrome de Burnout (SB) es un problema de salud en la población médica. En México se desconoce con precisión la prevalencia del evento. Factores como estrés laboral, carga asistencial y largas jornadas de trabajo se asocian a su ocurrencia. Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia del SDP en médicos residentes de pediatría del Hospital Infantil del Estado de Sonora (HIES). Métodos. Se efectuó un estudio transversal en el año 2008. Para evaluar el SDP, se aplicó el cuestionario Mashlach Burnout Inventory (MBI). Las diferencias observadas fueron evaluadas mediante la prueba de Kruskal-Wallis. Resultados. Se encontró que 100% (n =58) de los residentes presentaron SDP, 27.5% en grado severo, 44.8% en moderado, y 27.5% en leve (P<0.03); el grupo más afectado fue el de los residentes de 3º año de pediatría, con los mayores niveles de cansancio emocional (P <0.025) y despersonalización (P <0.005). Conclusiones. El SDP es un problema de salud entre los residentes del HIES, que se agudiza conforme avanzan en su grado jerárquico. Es conveniente iniciar medidas preventivas que disminuyan la prevalencia del síndrome entre médicos residentes del HIES.
Background. Burnout syndrome (BS) refers to an arising health problem among medical professionals, particularly in medical residents who perform their duties under stressful scenarios. Several factors such as job stress, length of duties, and working environment have been associated with its occurrence. Accuracy of the prevalence of BS in Mexico is unknown. We undertook this study to determine the prevalence of BS in medical students of a pediatric service from the Hospital Infantil del Estado de Sonora (HIES). Methods. A cross-sectional study was carried out in the year 2008. To evaluate BS, the Maslach Burnout Inventory scale was applied to 58 residents. Differences in scores were assessed using the Kruskal-Wallis test. Results. All study subjects were classified as having some degree of BS; 27.5% were categorized as severe, 44.8% as moderate, and 27.5% as mild (p <0.03). Higher levels of emotional exhaustion (p <0.025) and impersonalization (p <0.005) were observed among third-year residents. Conclusion. BS is a health problem among pediatric residents in the HIES. It is appropriate to design supportive and preventive strategies to ameliorate the negative impact of BS.