Psychosocial aspect: how to avoid burnout syndrome

Abstract

The National Survey of diabetologists carried out by the Psychosocial Aspects Committee in 2014 showed that more than 20% of the professionals presented clear signs of suffering from Professional Burnout Syndrome (SDP) and 15% remained in a borderline situation of suffering from the syndrome. The pattern found shows us that the most affected are those who work in public hospitals, feel poorly paid and have administrative overload. SDP is associated with a lower quality of patient care and a lack of commitment to medical practice. It is important to think about strategies to reduce professional burnout in health centers in order to avoid the deterioration of the psychophysical health of professionals and prevent the loss of efficiency in patient care.

The prevention of physical and emotional exhaustion of health professionals must focus in two directions.

• In relation to the health organization

- Reduction of risk factors in the work environment: control excessive work overload.

- Recognition of Burnout: application of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) at least once a year, in the pre-holiday control.

- Design time at work for relaxation activities.

- Communication: provide training in communication skills and conflict management.

• In relation to groups of professionals and the professional as an individual.

- Creation of work teams: promote care among professionals.

- Learning skills to speak-listen.

Difficulty in helping mode

• Give or offer what is not available. Solution: consultation and referral.
• Help beyond the circumstances and will of the person. Giving beyond what the other needs, wears out. Solution: respect the decisions of individuals.
• Paternalistic doctor-patient relationship. Solution: promote adult relationship.
• Relate to a prejudice in advance, which determines a difficult relationship with few results. Solution: listen without judgement. Be present.

Self knowledge

• Communication difficulty: difficulty saying “no” and making effective requests.
• Lack of discernment between opinions and facts.
• Difficulty incorporating good eating, sleeping and regular exercise habits.
• Difficulty letting go of ideas of perfection.