[Incidence of the burnout syndrome among Brazilian cancer physicians].
BACKGROUND
The Burnout syndrome can be characterized by abnormalities in three domains: emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP) and lack of personal realization (PR). In the medical profession, oncologists are especially prone to this syndrome. This study evaluates its prevalence among cancer physicians in Brazil correlating it to their demographic, work related variables and seeks possible solutions to prevent burnout.


METHODS
We mailed three questionnaires (Maslach burnout inventory, general and opinion questionnaires) to all 645 members of the Brazilian Cancer Society and received 136 responses after 10 weeks.


RESULTS
The response rate was of 21%. The burnout syndrome was present at moderate or severe levels in all three domains analyzed in 15.7% of the physicians. For each of these the frequency of moderate or severe dysfunction was analyzed and found to be present in 55.8% for EE, 96.1% for DP and 23.4% for RP. Practicing physical activity or having a hobby correlated significantly with lower levels of EE (p = 0.008) while working only for the private sector correlated with higher DP scores (p = 0.021). Cancer physicians pointed out that less paper work (73.5%) and a lower patient load (72.7%) were the most important factors for prevention of this syndrome.


CONCLUSIONS
Burnout syndrome is frequent among Brazilian cancer physicians and further studies should be conducted to evaluate its prevalence and prevention among other sub specialists.
Tucunduva
Luciana Tomanik Cardozo de Melo
LT
Instituto de Oncologia da Faculdade de Medicina do ABC.
Garcia
Ana Paula
AP
Prudente
Fernanda Vilas Boas
FV
Centofanti
Guilherme
G
de Souza
Carla Manzoni
CM
Monteiro
Tatiana Alves
TA
Vince
Flávio Augusto Henriques
FA
Samano
Eliana Sueco Tibana
ES
Gonçalves
Marina Sahade
MS
Del Giglio
Auro
A
D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires