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Intensive Care Medicine

Published in:

01-01-2008 | Brief Report

Burnout in a surgical ICU team

Authors: Melanie Verdon, Paolo Merlani, Thomas Perneger, Bara Ricou

Published in: Intensive Care Medicine | Issue 1/2008

Abstract

Objective

Psychologically stressful situations, a physically demanding workload and a high requirement for technological skills can lead ICU caregivers to burnout. The aim of our study was to evaluate their level of burnout as well as the related factors.

Design

A self-administered anonymous questionnaire.

Setting

A 20-bed surgical ICU in a university hospital.

Patients and participants

Nurse assistants, nurses.

Interventions

None.

Measurements and results

Ninety-seven of 107 questionnaires (91%) were returned. Of the members of ICU nursing team, 28% showed a high level of burnout. They reported a number of concerns, and that they felt discomfort and suffering. There was a discrepancy between the factors felt to be important by them and those statistically related to the burnout. Among the reported concerns, only the lack of patients' co-operation, the organization of the service and the rapid patient turnover were independently associated with a high level of burnout. As many as 49% of the nursing team felt stressed.

Conclusions

Almost a third of the ICU nursing team showed a high level of burnout. The factors felt to be important may not be those related to burnout. Since the well-being of the nursing team is important for the quality of care, corrective actions against the related factors should be sought in order to alleviate the suffering.

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Title: Burnout in a surgical ICU team
Authors: Melanie Verdon
Paolo Merlani
Thomas Perneger
Bara Ricou
Publication date: 01-01-2008
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Intensive Care Medicine / Issue 1/2008
Print ISSN: 0342-4642
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1238
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00134-007-0907-5

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Burnout in a surgical ICU team

Abstract

Objective

Design

Setting

Patients and participants

Interventions

Measurements and results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objective

Design

Setting

Patients and participants

Interventions

Measurements and results

Conclusions

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