Last update:
10-Dec-2008

Professional burnout in health professionals can be described as a syndrome of physical and psychological exhaustion. In this context the health worker loses interest in the patients, ceases to derive any satisfaction from the job and creates a negative self-image. This situation has not yet been recognised as a disease with specific symptomatology and so it presents difficulty in recognition and identification. Its identification is made through specific behaviors and attitudes of the employees, often accompanied by physical and psychosomatic symptoms. The causes of burnout are found in the dynamic interaction of the employee and the occupational environment. In order to combat this syndrome, health professionals are initially asked to recognise their weaknesses and limits, in order to prevent, if possible, or institute early treatment for the symptoms of professional burnout. The hospital administration should pay serious attention to finding effective ways of addressing this problem, at the same time assuring the quality of the health services provided.

Key words: Occupational environment, Professional burnout, Professional stress, Quality of health services.