Burnout syndrome in anaesthesiologists

Anesteziologija je prepoznata kao zanimanje s objektivno zahtjevnim i stresnim obilježjima posla te visokim rizikom za razvoj problema poput sindroma sagorijevanja. Kod anesteziologa i liječnika općenito, utvrđena je i veliki otpor prema traženju stručne podrške za različite smetnje, pogotovo psihološke prirode. Ozbiljnost mogućih posljedica sindroma sagorijevanja i neistraženost područja potaknuli su na odabir ove teme. Cilj istraživanja bio je dobiti detaljan uvid u različite aspekte sindroma sagorijevanja kod liječnika anesteziologa koje uključuju znanje, uvjerenja o ozbiljnosti sindroma sagorijevanja kao problema i odrednice spremnosti na traženje podrške zbog pojave njegovih znakova. Naglasak je stavljen i na utvrđivanje razlika između specijalista i specijalizanata. Korištena je kombinacija kvalitativne i kvantitativne metodologije. U kvalitativnom dijelu korišten je polustrukturirani intervju čija je svrha bila dobivanje detaljnog uvida u navedene odrednice, a kvantitativnim putem dodatno se ispitivalo postoje li razlike u razini znanja i uvjerenja o ozbiljnosti problema između dvije skupine. Sudionici izvještavaju o visokoj izloženosti pojmovima vezanim uz stres, djelomičnom poznavanju obilježja sindroma sagorijevanja i nedostatku, odnosno upitnoj kvaliteti edukacije o toj temi. Sudionici također smatraju da se radi o veoma ozbiljnom problemu, i prepoznaju da su kao struka izloženi riziku za njegov razvoj. Unatoč prethodnom iskustvu i trenutno razvijenim znakovima sindroma sagorijevanja sudionici nisu otvoreni prema traženju stručne podrške. Izražena je tendencija oslanjanja na sebe i izbjegavanja traženja podrške dok znakovi ne postanu drastični. Primijećene su razlike između specijalista i specijalizanata u načinu edukacije o sindromu sagorijevanja (iako ne i u znanju), prethodnim osobnim iskustvima i trenutnoj izraženosti znakova sindroma sagorijevanja, kao i u preferiranim izvorima podrške i preprekama pri traženju podrške koje doživljavaju.Anaesthesiology is recognized as an occupation with objectively demanding and stressful job characteristics, and high risk for development of various problems including burnout syndrome. Anaesthesiologists and physicians in general, show great resistance regarding help-seeking, especially for psychological problems. Severity of possible consequences of the burnout syndrome and not enough research in this area were the main motivation for this study. The main purpose of the study was to get detailed insight into different aspects of burnout syndrome in anaesthesiologists, including knowledge, perceived severity and willingness to seek help when symptoms arise. The purpose of study was also to determine if there are any differences between attendings and residents. Combination of qualitative and quantitative methodology was used. Qualitative part consisted of semi-structured interviews which were used to examine determinants of burnout, and quantitative part was used to determine if there are any differences between two groups in knowledge and perceived severity. Participants report regular exposure to stress-related concepts, partial knowledge of burnout, and question the quality of education they are receiving about this syndrome. Participants also consider burnout as a serious problem and recognize that anaesthesiologists, as an occupation, are under risk for developing it. Despite previous personal experience with burnout and current symptoms, participants are not open to the idea of help-seeking. There is a strong tendency of relying on themselves and avoiding seeking for help until the symptoms become severe. Differences were found between attendings and residents in education about burnout (but not knowledge), previous personal experiences and current symptoms, as well as in the preferred source of help and barriers they perceive in help-seeking process