Burnout and its correlates among nursing staff: questionnaire survey.
OBJECTIVE
This paper is a report of a study to determine the burnout level and its correlates in nurses.


BACKGROUND
Healthcare providers and especially nurses are generally considered a high risk group regarding work stress and burnout and this syndrome has been a major concern in the field of occupational health.


METHODS
The study was carried out at a university hospital in Turkey during May-June 2005. A total of 418 nurses from the 474 working at the hospital at the time (88.2%) answered a self-administered questionnaire including the Maslach Burnout Inventory.


RESULTS
All the nurses were female, with a mean age of 30.6 (5.4) and a median age of 29 years. The mean score was 17.99(6.35) for the Emotional Exhaustion subscale, 5.72 (3.87) for the Depersonalization subscale and 19.83 (4.66) for the Personal Accomplishment subscale. Emotional Exhaustion decreased with increasing age (P < 0.05). Total time in the job, weekly working hours, shift-working and the unit where employed influenced burnout scores (P < 0.05). Not being happy with relations with superiors, not finding the job suitable, feeling anxious about the future, perceived poor health, problems with personal life and financial difficulties were also factors influencing burnout scale scores (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
It is necessary to consider nurses having the characteristics shown as the correlates of burnout in this study as a target group, to screen periodically the burnout status and improve their working conditions, especially relationships with colleagues.
Mustafa N. İlhan MD PhD Assistant Professor Department of Public Health, Gazi University Medical Faculty, Beşevler, Ankara, TurkeyElif Durukan MD Research Assistant Department of Public Health, Gazi University Medical Faculty, Beşevler, Ankara, TurkeyEnder Taner MD Psychiatrist Gazi University Health Center, Beşevler, Ankara, TurkeyIşıl Maral MD Associate Professor Department of Public Health, Gazi University Medical Faculty, Beşevler, Ankara, TurkeyMehmet Ali Bumin MD Professor Department of Public Health, Gazi University Medical Faculty, Beşevler, Ankara, Turkey.
Mustafa N
MN
İlhan
Mustafa N. İlhan MD PhD Assistant Professor Department of Public Health, Gazi University Medical Faculty, Beşevler, Ankara, TurkeyElif Durukan MD Research Assistant Department of Public Health, Gazi University Medical Faculty, Beşevler, Ankara, TurkeyEnder Taner MD Psychiatrist Gazi University Health Center, Beşevler, Ankara, TurkeyIşıl Maral MD Associate Professor Department of Public Health, Gazi University Medical Faculty, Beşevler, Ankara, TurkeyMehmet Ali Bumin MD Professor Department of Public Health, Gazi University Medical Faculty, Beşevler, Ankara, Turkey.
Elif
E
Durukan
Mustafa N. İlhan MD PhD Assistant Professor Department of Public Health, Gazi University Medical Faculty, Beşevler, Ankara, TurkeyElif Durukan MD Research Assistant Department of Public Health, Gazi University Medical Faculty, Beşevler, Ankara, TurkeyEnder Taner MD Psychiatrist Gazi University Health Center, Beşevler, Ankara, TurkeyIşıl Maral MD Associate Professor Department of Public Health, Gazi University Medical Faculty, Beşevler, Ankara, TurkeyMehmet Ali Bumin MD Professor Department of Public Health, Gazi University Medical Faculty, Beşevler, Ankara, Turkey.
Ender
E
Taner
Mustafa N. İlhan MD PhD Assistant Professor Department of Public Health, Gazi University Medical Faculty, Beşevler, Ankara, TurkeyElif Durukan MD Research Assistant Department of Public Health, Gazi University Medical Faculty, Beşevler, Ankara, TurkeyEnder Taner MD Psychiatrist Gazi University Health Center, Beşevler, Ankara, TurkeyIşıl Maral MD Associate Professor Department of Public Health, Gazi University Medical Faculty, Beşevler, Ankara, TurkeyMehmet Ali Bumin MD Professor Department of Public Health, Gazi University Medical Faculty, Beşevler, Ankara, Turkey.
Işıl
I
Maral
Mustafa N. İlhan MD PhD Assistant Professor Department of Public Health, Gazi University Medical Faculty, Beşevler, Ankara, TurkeyElif Durukan MD Research Assistant Department of Public Health, Gazi University Medical Faculty, Beşevler, Ankara, TurkeyEnder Taner MD Psychiatrist Gazi University Health Center, Beşevler, Ankara, TurkeyIşıl Maral MD Associate Professor Department of Public Health, Gazi University Medical Faculty, Beşevler, Ankara, TurkeyMehmet Ali Bumin MD Professor Department of Public Health, Gazi University Medical Faculty, Beşevler, Ankara, Turkey.
Mehmet Ali
MA
Bumin
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009726:Nurses / Q000523:psychology*; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D016272:Occupational Health; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology