BURNOUT AMONG INTENSIVE CARE WORKERS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN SAUDI ARABIA

Abstract

Introduction: Various acute and chronic demands and burdens on Intensive Care Unit (ICU) staff put them at great risk for developing psychological stress and disorders. High expectations on performance and understanding can exert enormous pressure on intensive care personnel. Aim of work: To assess the frequency of job stress and burnout among ICU workers and highlight the role of job stress and psychosomatic health as possible predictors of burnout subscales . Materials and methods: One hundred and forty ICWs including 8 physicians, 114 nurses and 18 respiratory therapists participated in the study. Physicians worked 12 hours shifts, nurses and respiratory therapists worked 8 hours shifts; all of them worked 48 hours per week. A cross-sectional study was conducted using self-administered questionnaires including socio-demographic data, job stress questionnaire (Health and Safety Executives Management Standards Indicator Tool), Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and psychosomatic symptoms. Results: High stress levels were found among 47.8% of ICWs. High burnout levels were found among more than one tenth (11.4%) of the sample. The job demand was significant predictor of emotional exhaustion (EE) and relations at work were significant predictors for depersonalization (DP). Colleague support and clear role were significant predictors of personal achievement (PA). Sleeping problems were significant predictors for EE and PA. Chronic fatigue was significant predictor for DP. Conclusion: High stress levels were found among ICWs, however, these levels lead to moderate levels of burnout necessitating the immediate intervention to control predictors of burnout such as high job demand, poor relations at work and role ambiguity which can lead to prevention of burnout in different intensive care units.