3
Revista Matronas

Revista Matronas

AGOSTO 2016 N° 2 Volumen 4

Burnout syndrome in Spanish midwives

Section: Originales

Authors

1 María Fontán Azpeitia, 2 Andrea Herrero Reyes    

Position

1 Matrona Hospital Central de la Defensa “Gómez Ulla” (Madrid).2 Matrona Hospital Central de la Defensa “Gómez Ulla” (Madrid).

Contact email: andrea.herrero.reyes@hotmail.com

Abstract

Burnout syndrome in Spanish midwives
Introduction/purpose: existing research on burnout syndrome in midwives is scarce. Work environment and psychological and social aspects make midwives a highly vulnerable group. We aimed at describing this syndrome in Spanish midwives and suggesting some effective changes to reduce it.
Methods: an observational, descriptive, prospective, and crossover study. Population consisted of Spanish midwives in National Health Service or private clinics (owned by them or by others), including about 7.713 midwives according to National Statistics Institute in 2012. A sample of 58 participants was selected. A non-probabilistic, intentional or convenience sampling was used. Burnout syndrome was assessed by means of Maslach Burnout Inventory, 1996. This scale has high internal consistency and reliability (close to 90%). Results based on a series of open and closed questions on personal and professional characteristics of participants were reported. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software package version 17.0.
Results: findings were based on 58 completed questionnaires and showed: 6.9% of midwives reported no burnout; 79.3% reported a low burnout level; and 13.8% reported a moderate level. While no participant showed a high burnout level, 93.1% were burnout at some degree. Age distribution: 48.3% were aged 20-35 years, 32.8% 36-51 years, and 19.0% older than 52 years. Among interviewees, the younger the age, the higher the burnout syndrome level.
Conclusions: burnout syndrome appears in a high proportion of midwives. Most of them show a low burnout level, but the majority of affected midwives are young, have limited experience, and have been educated by means of the EIR model. Midwives with more experience show diverse burnout levels. A small proportion has no burnout syndrome at all, and twice this number shows a moderate burnout degree. Workplace, workload, and personal tools to cope with stress seem to be the reasons for such distribution. Good relationships among a multidisciplinary team reduce stressors. Finally, midwives with a low score in burnout scale report changes in their healthcare relationship with women.

Keywords:

midwife; burnout; stress; healthcarepregnancy

Versión en Español

Título:

Síndrome del quemado o burnout en matronas españolas

Artículo completo no disponible en este idioma / Full article is not available in this language

Bibliography

  1. Olivares Faúndez VE, Gil Monte P. Analysis of the main strengths and weakness of the "Maslach Burnout Inventory” (MBI). UNIPSICO. 2001.
  2. Quiceno J, Vinaccia S. Burnout: síndrome de quemarse en el trabajo. Acta Colombiana de Psicología. 2007; 117-125.
  3. Maslach C, Jackson S, Leiter M. MBI: The Maslach Burnout Inventory: Manual. California: Consulting Psychologists Press; 1996.
  4. Gil P, Peiró J. Perspectivas teóricas y modelos interpretativos para el estudio del Síndrome de quemarse por el trabajo. Anales de Psicología. 1999; 261-8.
  5. Lubica B, Martina B. International Conference on Intercultural Education “Education and Health: From atranscultural perspective” Sources of work-related stress and their effect on burnout in midwifery a Comenius University, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Department of Midwifery, Martin, Slovakia. 2014.
  6. Gutiérrez G, Celis M, Moreno F, Farias F, Suárez J. Síndrome de Burnout. Arch Neurocien 2006; 305-9.
  7. Asociacion Española de Matronas. Informe Lucina La Salud de las Matronas. 2004.
  8. Ingegerd H, Kajsa W, Ingela W. Burnout in Swedish Midwives. Sex Reprod Healthc 2013; 4(3):87-91.
  9. Understanding Stress and Burnout in Birth Suite Midwives Lynette Mary Walpole BA (Hons) School of Social Sciences and Psychology. Faculty of Arts, Education and Human Development Victoria University. A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. April 2011.
  10. Sunniva E, Peter O, Birgit A. National Institute of Occupational Health, Muriel E. Thesis Motivation and Burnout in Human Service Work The Case of Midwifery in Denmark Copenhagen, April 2006.
  11. The Joint Commission. Behaviors that undermine a culture of safety. Sentinel Event Alert 2008. p.40.
  12. Newton MS, McLachlan HL, Willis KF, Forster DA. Comparing satisfaction and burnout between caseload and standard care midwives: Findings from two cross-sectional surveys conducted in Victoria, Australia. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2014 24;14:426.