The burnout syndrome and associated personality disturbances: the study in three graduate programs in Dentistry at the University of Barcelona

Aurelia Alemany Martínez ^[1] ; Leonardo Berini Aytés ^[1] ; Cosme Gay Escoda ^[1]
1. [1] Universitat de Barcelona
  
  Universitat de Barcelona
  
  Barcelona, España
Localización: Medicina oral, patología oral y cirugía bucal. Ed. inglesa, ISSN-e 1698-6946, Vol. 13, Nº. 7 (July), 2008
Idioma: inglés
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Resumen
- 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. Materials and 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 highlevel “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.