The burnout syndrome and associated personality disturbances. The study in three graduate programs in Dentistry at the University of Barcelona.
OBJECTIVE
Determine the presence of "burnout" syndrome and characteristic personality patterns in the students and faculty of three graduate programs in Dentistry at the University of Barcelona: Department of Oral Surgery and Implantology, Department of Orthodontics and Department of Integrated Dentistry.


METHODS
The study was carried out in 78 dentists. The level of "burnout" was evaluated using the Maslach Burnout Inventory, socio-demographic variables and, finally, the personality test.


RESULTS
Oral surgeons constituted the group of high-level "burnout". The profile of an individual with a propensity to "burn out" is a single man, with a median age of 27, that is in the first years of the graduate program and that combines studies with 30 hours of clinical practice and/or other work (p<0,05). Narcissistic and borderline are the types of personality most frequently found in the individuals that present "burnout" syndrome (p<0,05).


CONCLUSIONS
In general, no high levels of "burnout" were registered in the studied population, only 2-3%, if applying strict definition of "burnout", and 10% if these criteria were amplified. We believe it is necessary to identify the individuals with a tendency towards "burnout", in order to establish preventive measures and avoid future negative behaviour at work as well as at the personal level.
Alemany Martínez
Aurelia
A
University of Barcelona Dental School, Spain.
Berini Aytés
Leonardo
L
Gay Escoda
Cosme
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D013030:Spain; D013335:Students, Dental; D014495:Universities