Prevalencia y factores asociados al síndrome de burnout y engagement en estudiantes de ciencias de la salud en una universidad pública (2019)

Abstract

ObjectiveTo estimate the prevalence and factors associated with burnout syndrome and engagement in health sciences students at a public university in the different semesters of their career. MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried out and included university students of health sciences. A stratified random sampling with proportional allocation was carried out. A descriptive analysis was carried out calculating frequencies, proportions and percentages, as well as measures of central tendency. The proportions of burnout and engagement were estimated with their corresponding 95% Confidence Interval (95% CI). For the bivariate analysis, the Chi2 test was performed and a p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results314 students were included (220 undergraduate and 94 graduate) with a mean age of 25±5 years (18-48 years), 112 were men (35.7%) and 202 women (64.3%). The presence of burnout was detected in 26 students (8.3%, 95% CI 5.2-11.4%). 73.9% presented high levels of exhaustion. A lower percentage of classification between high, medium-high and very high was found in those with a job (p=0.02); and greater evidence of exhaustion (high and very high) in the medicine and postgraduate programs (p=0.01). There were no significant differences for the cynicism subscale. In the engagement evaluation, 29.4% presented high levels in the three subscales, 56.2% medium levels and 14.4% low levels. In the vigor subscale, there was a lower percentage of classification between low and very low in graduate students (p=0.01), along with similar values in high and very high. In the absorption subscale, there was a lower percentage of classification between high and very high in graduate students (p=0.04). ConclusionsThere was a low prevalence of burnout and a high prevalence of engagement in our population (total, undergraduate and graduate). However, a large proportion of students are at risk due to high levels of exhaustion. It is necessary to employ measures to reduce the levels of burnout and exhaustion, and to promote engagement, as well as to increase the investigation of the syndrome in university students.