Prevalence of burnout in Polish anesthesiologists and anesthetist nursing professionals: A comparative non-randomized cross-sectional study.

The purpose of the study was to assess the burnout levels in nurses ( N = 161) versus physicians ( N = 373). The levels of burnout were evaluated by the Polish adaptation of the Spanish Burnout Inventory (Cronbach's alpha > .70). High burnout level was found in 18.63 percent nurses and 12.06 percent anesthesiologists, and critical level in 3.74 percent nurses and 5.90 percent anesthetists. There were statistically significant differences in Burnout global score, Enthusiasm toward the job, Psychological exhaustion, and Indolence subscales between nurses and physicians. No significant differences were found between sexes in any variable.

Neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury resistant to conventional therapies - case report. / Ból neuropatyczny po urazie rdzenia kregowego niepoddajacy sie konwencjonalnej terapii - opis przypadku.

OBJECTIVES: There are patients with neuropathic pain in whom the treatment is ineffective, despite the fact that is conducted with adherence to the current guidelines. In these patients alternative treatment methods such as hypnosis could be effective. METHODS: The paper presents a case of a 58-year-old man with central neuropathic pain after cervical spinal cord injury. The conservative treatment with antiepileptics including gabapentoids), antidepressants (tricyclic and selective noradrenaline and serotonin inhibitor - SNRI) and opioids was not effective. In the pain management centre the celiac plexus stimulation and neuromodulation was performed, however, with no positive results. The patient was referred to the psychiatrist using hypnosis in his medical practice. RESULTS: The psychiatrist qualified the patient to pain treatment with hypnosis. After several hypnotic sessions the pain intensity score in numeric rating scale (NRS) decreased from NRS 7 to NRS 5 points and became acceptable for the patient. CONCLUSIONS: Hypnosis can be considered an effective method of neuropathic pain treatment in some patients.

Relationships between various temperament dimensions, levels of selected cytokines and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in males, incurred as a result of mechanical injuries of lower extremities.

OBJECTIVES: This analysis addresses the relationships between various temperament dimensions, levels of selected cytokines and PTSD in males, incurred as a result of mechanical injuries of lower extremities. METHODS: PTSD was assessed with a PTSD Factorial Version Inventory. Temperamental traits were evaluated by means of Formal Characteristics of Behaviour - Temperament Inventory (FCB-TI). Cytokine levels were determined using ELISA kits. The study population was selected from among a larger population of 80 persons. 15 persons with signs of inflammation were excluded. PTSD group included 33 persons, 32 subjects were included in the control group. RESULTS: Positive statistical correlation with PTSD was observed for: perseverance and emotional reactivity. On the other hand, negative relationship was shown between PTSD and: briskness, endurance and activity. No statistically significant correlations were revealed between the levels of selected cytokines (sIL-2, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-alpha & IFN-gamma) and temperamental traits. Moreover, this study investigates the relationships between temperamental traits, PTSD and various personality dimensions. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Patients with temperamental traits such as high perseverance and emotional reactivity had a greater risk of PTSD. 2. Patients with temperamental traits such as high briskness, endurance and activity had lower risk of PTSD. 3. The level of cytokines (sIL-2, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma) was not dependent on the temperamental traits.

The prevalence of burnout syndrome in Polish anaesthesiologists.

BACKGROUND: Burnout syndrome is a psychological response to chronic work-related stress characterized by low enthusiasm towards the job, high psychological exhaustion, indolence and guilt. Being a medical doctor, both in Poland and in other countries, is one of the most stressful occupations and anaesthesiology is considered one of the most stressful specializations, which justify carrying out of the study on Polish anaesthesiologists. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of burnout syndrome in Polish anaesthesiologists METHODS: Non-randomized cross-sectional study was carried out and data were gathered through a self-administrated questionnaire. The sample consisted of 373 Polish anaesthesiologists, 57.6% were women and 42.4% were men. A 66% response rate was achieved. The Burnout Syndrome was measured by the Spanish Burnout Inventory. RESULTS: The prevalence burnout risk was almost 70%. The percentage of participants who indicated very high levels of burnout was 18%; 5.9% of whom fell into profile 2 considered to be clinical. The instrument applied was reliable with Cronbach's alphas exceeding 0.70. CONCLUSIONS: The sample is characterized by high burnout risk with 5.9% of clinical cases. Participation in prevention programs is recommended.

Objective assessment of pain-related stress in mechanically ventilated newborns based on skin conductance fluctuations.

BACKGROUND: In the process of intensive care, neonates are exposed to stress and pain related to the repeated therapeutic- diagnostic procedures. The aim of this study was the objective assessment of stress intensity pain while performing selected procedures in neonates in the intensive care unit. METHODS: 32 neonates, with a mean body mass of 2,495 g, intubated and mechanically ventilated, and who underwent sedation and analgesia were qualified to the study. A stress reaction to suctioning from endotracheal tube and capillary blood taking for blood gas analysis was evaluated. For the pain stress evaluation, the conductance fluctuation method was used. RESULTS: 0.20 oscillations per second during the mechanical ventilation were obtained; during the suctioning, the number of oscillations increased to 0.33. With finger tip puncture, the number of oscillations was 0.35. The mean values obtained in the cases of suctioning and puncture differed significantly from the ones obtained at mechanical ventilation (P < 0.001) and did not differ between one another (P = 0.558). The oscillation proportion ≥ 0.33 s-1 was the lowest during the ventilation and it was significantly different (P < 0.001) from the values obtained at suctioning and finger tip puncture. There were no significant differences between these values. CONCLUSION: The measurement of conductivity of the skin as an objective tool to measure pain and discomfort during invasive procedures in neonatal intensive care shows that, despite the use of sedation and analgesia, neonates experience discomfort associated with the selected performance of therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.