Burnout and cognitive-affective empathy in health professionals in Monteria (Colombia)

The Burnout syndrome is considered one of the psychosocial work harms with greater impact on the physical and mental health. So it has become necessary to evaluate factors which may triggering this syndrome. On the other hand, empathy is defined as the ability of the clinician to put himself in the place of the patient, considering himself as a valued medical attribute. However, some studies indicate that it may also constitute a risk factor for Burnout development.Thisstudysoughtto determine the existence of Burnout syndrome in health professionals in the city of Monteria and analyze their possible relationship with empathy. Methods.– A quantitative cross-sectional and correlational study was carried out in 201 general practitioners, with an equilibrate distribution of men and women. The (a) Cognitive and Affective Empathy Test (TECA) was used to evaluate the emphaty dimension; and (b) the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) was applied to evaluate the Burnout syndrome.