High prevalence of burnout among midwives in Hungary: High job demands and low resources as potential persistent stressors, a focus on prevention.

Background: Midwifery practice in Hungary is characterized by chronic stress, which may in turn lead to burnout and impaired perinatal care. However, little is known about the degree and potential stressors of burnout, which hinder the development of strategies to promote well-being among midwives in Hungary. Aim: To assess the prevalence of burnout and identify persistent individual and occupational stressors among midwives in Hungary over the past decade to inform prevention. Methods: We conducted two cross-sectional studies among midwives in 2014 and 2022. We used the Maslach Burnout Inventory to assess burnout (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment) over time. We also collected data on individual and work characteristics. We performed a multivariate regression analysis to explore associations between burnout and respondents' characteristics. Findings: The degree and prevalence of emotional exhaustion among midwives increased significantly between 2014 (N = 224) and 2022 (N = 152). High workload, not feeling valued at work, poorly perceived health status and work dissatisfaction emerged as a significant positive correlate of emotional exhaustion or depersonalization in both studies. Living alone showed both a positive and inverse association with burnout in 2014 and 2022, respectively. Work satisfaction was a positive correlate of personal accomplishment in both studies. Conclusions: Our results add to and confirm the growing body of evidence about the high prevalence of burnout among midwives in Hungary. We identified potential risk factors and outcomes of burnout, which remained unchanged over time. To prevent or reduce burnout among midwives, future interventions should focus on addressing these potential persistent risk factors. However, the time-varying role of factors influencing burnout makes it advisable to review preventive interventions from time to time.

[Burnout syndrome among Hungarian midwives in 2014 and 2022]. / Kiégésszindróma a magyar szülésznok körében 2014-ben és 2022-ben.

INTRODUCTION: The healthcare sector is the most studied area of burnout, as the mental health of healthcare workers has a significant impact on the mental health of the people they care for. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to investigate whether there have been changes in the dimensions of burnout among midwives, and how the relationships between burnout and the individual factors and working conditions that influence it have evolved, using national data from 2014 and 2022. METHOD: An anonymous, voluntary, questionnaire-based survey of midwives working exclusively in maternity units was conducted using the Maslach Burnout Inventory questionnaire, which measures burnout, and questions on respondents' demographic characteristics and working conditions. Multivariate ordinal logistic regression was used to explore associations between burnout and respondent characteristics, and associations were characterized by odds ratios. RESULTS: Among the dimensions of burnout, no change in depersonalization was observed in 2022, but both emotional exhaustion and personal ineffectiveness were significantly more common in 2022 than in 2014. Responses from 224 midwives in 2014 and 152 midwives in 2022 were analyzed. Looking at the influencing factors, higher levels of burnout in 2014 were significantly associated with poorer perceived health, lack of a partner, smoking, shorter time in healthcare, having a job in a larger city, feeling overworked and dissatisfied. In 2022, on the other hand, younger age, smoking, shorter time in healthcare, feeling overworked, dissatisfied and unvalued were associated with higher levels of burnout. Looking at the combined effect of these factors, willingness to attend a health promotion lecture and having a second job also showed a significant effect on burnout in 2022. DISCUSSION: The authors discuss the change in burnout among midwives and the possible reasons for the correlations shown. CONCLUSION: The results of the first study on burnout among midwives in Hungary show that improving the working conditions of midwives is essential for the functioning of family-friendly midwifery. In addition, to prevent burnout, more emphasis should be placed on the prevention of the risk factors identified in the study in education and training. Orv Hetil. 2023; 164(40): 1592-1599.

[Cooperation between the health visitor and the physician as one of the pillars of the 108-year-old Hungarian Health Visitor Service]. / A védono-orvos együttmuködés mint a 108 éve sikeresen muködo Magyar Védonoi Szolgálat egyik alappilére.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the more than 100-year history of the Hungarian Health Visitor Service, no study has yet been carried out that looked back at the cooperation between health visitors and physicians. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was 1) to explore the professional advances of the health visitor service and the cooperation between health visitor and physician by examining historical documents, legal and professional regulations governing the work of health visitor, furthermore, 2) to investigate whether there are compulsory training elements in today's training for health visitors that prepare students for health visitor and physician collaboration, moreover, 3) to search for old tools and documents used by health visitors and doctors in the North-West of Transdanubia. METHOD: A literature search was carried out to identify documents relating to the development of the work of health visitors, the cooperation between health visitors and physicians, past and current legal and professional regulations, the current regulation on training of health visitors. Through field research, we tracked down old tools and documents of health visitors and physicians. RESULTS: The establishment of the Hungarian Health Visitor Service is associated with the names of professors of medicine. The historical documents and regulations testify the development of the work of the health visitor, the expansion of her competences and the importance of the health visitor and physician cooperation. The training competences required for the cooperation between health visitors and physicians, health visitors and specialists are regulated by the regulation on training of health visitors. We have found many old objects and documents used in the work of the health visitor and doctor. DISCUSSION: The documents that have preserved almost invariably describe the health visitor as a person working alongside the physician, in cooperation with the physician. Nowadays, the regulation of cooperation covers for all specialties in the field of health visitor. CONCLUSION: Based on our research, it is fair to say that the health visitor-physician cooperation is an important pillar of the 108-year-old Hungarian Health Visitor Service. Orv Hetil. 2023; 164(33): 1311-1318.

The Effects of a Cyberbullying Intervention Programme Among Primary School Students.

Background: With the increase of cyberbullying, several intervention programmes have been created that aim at reducing cyber-victimisation and perpetration. Objective: Our study presents the effects of the STAnD anti-cyberbullying programme with peer-education both on the short and the long run among lower and upper primary school students, with a focus on the participants' cyberbullying roles. Method: The sample comprised of 536 students who participated in the intervention programme, involving 36% lower and 64% upper primary school students. Participants were measured by a self-reported questionnaire before and right after the programme, then six months later. Results: The main effect of the STAnD programme was a positive change in the participants' willingness to engage in help-seeking and their active-defending reaction, although this effect decreased after six months. The changes were larger among lower primary school students compared to upper primary school participants. Conclusion: Our results imply that long-lasting and intensive health promotion programmes are necessary to reach a long-term intervention effect. Anti-cyberbullying programmes should take into consideration participants' involvement and roles in cyberbullying. As our study was a non-randomised uncontrolled study design, thus interpretation of the effectiveness of the programme is limited. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10566-022-09714-9.

Burnout syndrome among healthcare professionals of neonatal intensive care units / A kiégési szindróma vizsgálata neonatalis intenzív osztályok szakápolói és orvosai körében

Introduction: Burnout syndrome among healthcare workers is a well-known problem. Its occurrence and the roots have been addressed in several studies. The daily work of the specialist employees in the neonatal intensive care units is extremely stressful physically and mentally. Objective: The study assessed the frequency and intensity of burnout phenomenon among healthcare professionals working in neonatal intensive care units and examined the relations between institutional levels, occupation, and work experience. Method: Data were collected in 2019 using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) questionnaire compiled by

[The professional and family characteristics, difficulties, contentment and resources of physicians working at level 3 neonatal intensive care centres. General overview in Hungary]. / A III. szintu neonatális intenzív centrumokban dolgozó orvosok szakmai és családi jellemzoi, nehézségei, elégedettsége, eroforrásai. Magyarországi helyzetkép.

INTRODUCTION: A survey that investigates the situation of physicians working at neonatal intensive care (NIC) centres has not been made since 1997. AIM: To give an overview of the sociodemographic characteristics; personal and professional problems; the satisfaction with their job and family roles; their levels of healthy lifestyle; resources in the families of physicians working at NIC. METHOD: We have made an examination in Hungary at NIC among physicians from April 2015 till January 2016, with an anonym self-fill-in questionnaire. RESULTS: The physicians involved in the research (n = 111) are representatively middle-aged people. They are well-qualified and hold a subordinate post. Most of them have second jobs. The manager and deputy-manager positions are characteristic for the men. Most of them live in family. The main problems for them are financial and professional difficulties, not the family or personal problems. They have conflicts in families because of finding partners and having children as well as job problems. They are satisfied with their parenting, partnership and professional roles but they are not contented with their family role as a financial safety provider person and as a person living a healthy life. In difficult situations in their life, they can count on friends and family members, furthermore they can rely on their workmates and superiors. CONCLUSION: It is the first research that focuses on the general situation of physicians working at level 3 NIC centres. This is the first time when a survey investigates their professional-personal-family life. Orv Hetil. 2018; 159(16): 628-635.

[Experience and motivation: opinion of Hungarian high school students about health promotion programs]. / Tapasztalatok és motiváltság: magyar középiskolások véleménye az egészségvédo programokról.

INTRODUCTION: Health-related attitudes can be encouraged most effectively at young ages. Young generations would require more interactive methods in programs engaged in health promotion. AIM: The aim of the authors was to get an insight into the attitudes, experience and motivation of youngsters in connection with health promotion programs and the community service work. METHOD: The questionnaires were filled in by high school students studying in Budapest and in the countryside (N = 898). RESULTS: 44.4% of the students did not have lessons or extracurricular activities dealing with health promotion. Concerning health promotion programs, youngsters in Budapest had more positive experience, while female students showed a more adoptive attitude. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that in one of the most susceptible life stages, many youngsters either do not participate in programs dealing with health promotion, or participate in programs that are within the framework of school subjects or extracurricular activities building on traditional teaching methods.

[Similarities and differences in the social background of female medical, nursing and public health visiting students]. / Orvostanhallgató-nôk, diplomásápoló-hallgatónôk és védônôhallgatók szociokulturális hátterében megmutatkozó azonosságok és különbségek.

UNLABELLED: According to our knowledge, there has never been a comprehensive research in Hungary dealing with healthcare university or college students' social background. AIM: The main objectives of our cross-section research were to analyze differences in the social background of female students who decided to become doctors, professional nurses and health visitors. METHOD: This research was conducted among female medical and nursing college students at the Semmelweis University. There were 295 students invited to participate, the response rate was 68,08% (N = 201). Data analysis was performed by SPSS software by using descriptive methods of statistics. RESULTS: We found a decisive difference among medical, nursing and health visitor students while analyzing a number of socio-demographic characteristics. Most medical students came from families where the parents had college or university degrees, but we can state that there is a minimal likelihood in the case of college students that they are descendants of parents with higher educational degrees. We did not find statistical differences in the three student sample groups regarding their marital status, but fewer nursing college students lived in marriage or household partnership. CONCLUSION: We found a significant difference in the social background of nursing college and medical students. The social disadvantages of nursing and health visitor students are more considerable than those of medical students.