Introduction

Medical residency is a very stressful stage, which could contribute to the appearance of burnout syndrome (SBO) and depression. However, in spite of the importance of this syndrome for the health of the professional and patients, it has been little studied in Paediatric residents.

Objective

To describe the prevalence of SBO in paediatric residents of a hospital.

Method

Descriptive, cross-sectional study using the Maslach Burnout Inventory questionnaire that was completed anonymously by Paediatrics residents from a Paediatrics referral hospital. The variables analysed were: gender, age, marital status, year of residence, and SBO. The data obtained were processed using SPSS statistics software (v.13.0).

Results

The study included 18 residents, of whom 4 were (R1), 6 (R2), and 8 (R3). The participants included 14 women and 4 men, ranging from 25 to 32 years (mean age: 28 years). The response rate was 100%, with SBO being found in 100% of the residents. The values obtained from the subscales of the 18 residents were, 9 with high emotional exhaustion (CE), 12 with high de-personalization (DP), and 11 with low personal performance (RP). From the analysis of the Maslach Burnout Inventory questionnaire, it emerged that 4 (R1) was found: 3 with low CE; 2 with low DP, and 4 with low RP. As regards the 6 (R2): 4 had low RP and 3 had between high and moderate CE and DP. While out of the 8 (R3): all had high DP, with 5 with a high CE, and 3 with low RP. It was found that SBO in all cases was moderate.

Conclusions

All residents of the Paediatric clinical specialty of the referral hospital presented with values compatible with SBO, with a high DP being the component most affected.