[Burnout in anesthesia and intensive care medicine. Part 2: Epidemiology and importance for the quality of care].

Physicians and nurses in anesthesia and critical care medicine are thought to be particularly prone to developing burnout. Epidemiologic data, however, are inconclusive especially because not all of the studies presented here are methodologically sound. Nevertheless, the following conclusions appear reasonable: in several European countries burnout is seen as a relevant problem in anesthesia and critical care medicine with a point-prevalence for moderate or severe burnout, as determined with the Maslach Burnout Inventory, at approximately 30% among nurses and approximately 40-50% among physicians. Determinants correlated with burnout can be found among the individual characteristics of those affected and within the occupational realm (for example high workload and insufficient control over the work routine). The actual severity of the patients' illness does not correlate with the degree of the healthcare workers' burnout. Notwithstanding a plethora of "how to" literature, there are no preventive or therapeutic measures which could meet the scientific requirements for guidelines. Stress management programs appear to be somewhat efficacious although there are no studies to date for the clientele featured in this publication. Multimodal therapy can be recommended for pronounced burnout, including occupation-related treatment modalities. However, a general open mind towards warning signs of chronic stress disorder on the individual level as well as an adequate gratification for the work performance and sufficient control over the work routine on an organizational level appear to be among the important preventive measures.