Prevalence and risk factors associated with professional burnout in Spanish Intensive Care Units

Gómez García, José Manuel; Gálvez Herrer, Macarena; García Olivares, Pablo; Martín Delgado, María Cruz; Moreno Jiménez, Bernardo; Nin Vaeza, Nicolás; Velasco Sanz, Tayra; Alonso Ovies, Ángela; Pérez Nieto, Miguel Ángel; Cardinal Fernández, Pablo; Heras La Calle, Gabriel

doi:10.1016/j.medin.2026.502529

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Abstract

Objective

To determine the prevalence of Burnout Syndrome (BOS) and Burnout Process (BOP), as well as the possible factors associated with their appearance in healthcare professionals in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) in Spain.

Design

Multicenter, observational, cross-sectional study using an electronic questionnaire. Factors independently associated with BOS and BOP were determined by multiple logistic regression.

Scope

ICU in Spain.

Patients or participants

ICU healthcare professionals.

Variables of interest

Prevalence of suffering Burnout Syndrome (BOS) and of developing the Burnout Process (BOP), as well as factors associated with this prevalence.

Results

1490 participants: physicians 15% (228), nurses 62% (925) and auxiliary nurses 23% (337). Prevalence of BOS 30% (447/1490): 32% in physicians (74/232), 32% in nurses (296/925) and 25% (84/337) in auxiliary nurses. The prevalence of having BOS or BOP was 66% (984/1490): 69% in physicians (157/228), 69% in nurses (638/925) and 53% (179/337) in NA o HCA. 23% (343/1490) had only one high dimension, 22% (328/1490) two dimensions and 20% (298/1490) all three dimensions of the BOS. Younger age (OR 0.97 CI 0.95−0.99), female gender (OR 1.38 CI 1.04–1.84), being a medical or nursing professional (OR 1.46 CI 1.09–1.96), professional experience (OR 1.04 CI 1.01–1.06), working in non-surgical units (OR 1.64 CI 1.14–2.37) and higher hospital complexity (OR 1.91 CI 1.48–2.44) were associated with BOS and BOP. An unfavourable physician-to-patient ratio (>1/10) during shifts (OR 2.20, CI 1.13–4.30), and childlessness (OR 0.55, CI 0.30–0.99), were factors associated with BOS and BOP among physicians and auxiliary nurses, respectively.

Conclusions

The prevalence of BOS and BOP among ICU healthcare professionals in Spain was high. Sociodemographic, occupational, and organizational factors were identified as significant contributors to both BOS and BOP.

Keywords:

Emotional exhaustion

Depersonalisation

Personal accomplishment

Burnout development process

Professional care

Humanisation of intensive care

Resumen

Objetivo

Determinar la prevalencia del síndrome de burnout (SBO) y del proceso de burnout (PBO), así como los posibles factores asociados a su aparición en profesionales sanitarios de Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI) en España.

Diseño

Estudio multicéntrico, observacional y transversal mediante cuestionario electrónico. Los factores asociados de forma independiente con el SBO y el PBO se determinaron mediante regresión logística múltiple.

Ámbito

UCI en España.

Pacientes o participantes

Profesionales sanitarios de UCI.

Variables de interés

Prevalencia de padecer el síndrome de burnout (SBO) y de desarrollar el proceso de burnout (PBO), así como los factores asociados.

Resultados

1.490 participantes: médicos 15% (228), enfermeras 62% (925) y auxiliares de enfermería 23% (337). Prevalencia de SBO: 30% (447/1490): 32% en médicos (74/232), 32% en enfermeras (296/925) y 25% (84/337) en auxiliares de enfermería. La prevalencia de SBO o PBO fue del 66% (984/1.490): 69% en médicos (157/228), 69% en enfermeras (638/925) y 53% (179/337) en auxiliares de enfermería. El 23% (343/1.490) presentó solo una dimensión alta, el 22% (328/1.490) dos dimensiones y el 20% (298/1.490) las tres dimensiones del SBO. Menor edad (OR 0,97 IC 0,95-0,99), sexo femenino (OR 1,38 IC 1,04-1,84), profesional médico o de enfermería (OR 1,46 IC 1,09-1,96), experiencia profesional (OR 1,04 IC 1,01-1,06), trabajo en unidades no quirúrgicas (OR 1,64 IC 1,14-2,37) y mayor complejidad hospitalaria (OR 1,91 IC 1,48-2,44) se asociaron con SBO y PBO. Una ratio médico-paciente desfavorable (> 1/10) durante las guardias (OR 2,20, IC 1,13-4,30) y el no tener hijos (OR 0,55, IC 0,30-0,99) fueron factores asociados con SBO y PBO entre médicos y auxiliares de enfermería, respectivamente.

Conclusiones

La prevalencia de SBO y PBO entre los profesionales sanitarios de UCI en España fue alta. Se identificaron factores sociodemográficos, laborales y organizativos como contribuyentes significativos tanto al SBO como al PBO.

Palabras clave:

Agotamiento emocional

Despersonalización

Realización personal

Proceso de desarrollo del síndrome de burnout

Cuidados al profesional

Humanización de los cuidados intensivos

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Prevalence and risk factors associated with professional burnout in Spanish Intensive Care Units

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