Professional profiles in the healthcare field and factors associated with the development of burnout

Background: The present background of the Italian National Health System requires the health professionals not only specific technical and operational skills, but also relational skills. Fast-changing work and life patterns may bring about situations which can be difficult to adapt to, even to the point of creating confusion and bewilderment. Objectives: The aims of this study are the evaluation of burnout and its relationship with environmental and organizational factors in healthcare professionals in the rehabilitation medicine field and the identification of professional profiles more exposed to the burnout within healthcare service. Methods: Our sample is composed of 114 health professionals (3 groups of 38 people each, Physiotherapists, Nurses and Hospital Auxiliaries), 42,98% males and 57,02% females, average age 37,8 years. The sample is given questionnaires for the evaluation of burnout, organizational health, and personality. Results: A medium degree of burnout is shown in 11,40% of respondents, and a high degree in 4,39%. Important differences are revealed in the perception of comfort in the work environment and of organizational efficiency, which are perceived as negative. Major differences are shown as far as psychosomatic disorders are concerned and, although they do not reach a psychopathological level, they appear more frequently in those affected by burnout, who seem to be less motivated to succeed and featured by low level of self-confidence. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that the group with a high burnout and the risk group are influenced by the “personality variables” and by the “structural” and “organizational” variables, which contribute to the burnout state.