A Free App for Diagnosing Burnout (BurnOut App): Development Study.

BACKGROUND: Health specialists take care of us, but who takes care of them? These professionals are the most vulnerable to the increasingly common syndrome known as burnout. Burnout is a syndrome conceptualized as a result of chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to develop a useful app providing burnout self-diagnosis and tracking of burnout through a simple, intuitive, and user-friendly interface. METHODS: We present the BurnOut app, an Android app developed using the Xamarin and MVVMCross platforms, which allows users to detect critical cases of psychological discomfort by implementing the Goldberg and Copenhagen Burnout Inventory tests. RESULTS: The BurnOut app is robust, user-friendly, and efficient. The good performance of the app was demonstrated by comparing its features with those of similar apps in the literature. CONCLUSIONS: The BurnOut app is very useful for health specialists or users, in general, to detect burnout early and track its evolution.

Salut, estils de vida i condicions laborals dels pediatres a Espanya / Salud, estilos de vida y condiciones laborales de los pediatras en España / Health, life style, and working conditions of pediatricians in Spain

Fonament: la salut, els estils de vida i els hàbits dels pediatres, així com les característiques sociodemogràfiques del lloc de treball, les condicions laborals i els factors de risc psicosocial, són aspectes poc estudiats. Objectiu: conèixer la situació de salut, estil de vida i condicions laborals dels pediatres a Espanya. Mètode: enquesta adreçada a pediatres de tot Espanya, amb una mostra final de 1.028 professionals i una taxa de resposta total del 18,5%. Resultats: s'observa un augment de la feminització, amb un 59% de dones. El 71% dels pediatres treballa en atenció primària. La jornada de treball predominant és contínua pels matins, amb contracte estatutari, amb més precarietat en les dones i els joves, i una mitjana de 45 hores de treball setmanals. El 64,7% estan satisfets amb les condicions la-borals. El risc psicosocial és alt, amb una taxa de trastorns d'ansietat i depressió més alta que en la població general. Conclusions: s'observa una tendència a la feminització i un alt nivell de formació amb subespecialitat o doctorat. La majoria dels pediatres treballa en el sector públic en atenció primària, com a assalariats, amb poques perspectives de promoció i amb horaris inestables i jornades extenses. Hi ha riscos psicosocials relacionats amb la càrrega de treball i amb la baixa participació en les decisions. Els preocupa l'impacte de la crisi sobre la seva pràctica mè-dica i els seus pacients, més que sobre el seu salari, que com a conseqüència s'ha vist reduït. S'han observat estils de vida saludables i una bona salut autopercebuda, tot i presentar un risc elevat de mala salut menta

Fundamento. La salud, los estilos de vida y los hábitos de los pediatras, así como las características sociodemográficas del lugar de trabajo, las condiciones laborales y los factores de riesgo psicosocial, son aspectos poco estudiados. Objetivo. Conocer la situación de salud, estilos de vida y condiciones laborales de los pediatras en España. Método. Encuesta dirigida a pediatras de toda España, con una muestra final de 1.028 profesionales y una tasa de respuesta total del 18,5%. Resultados. Se observa un aumento de la feminización con el 59% de mujeres. El 71% de los pediatras trabaja en atención primaria. La jornada de trabajo predominante es continua por las mañanas, con contrato estatutario, mayor precariedad en las mujeres y los jóvenes, y una media de 45 horas de trabajo semanales. El 64,7% están satisfechos con las condiciones laborales. El riesgo psicosocial es alto, con una tasa de trastornos de ansiedad y depresión más alta que en la población general. Conclusiones. Se observa una tendencia a la feminización y un alto nivel de formación con subespecialidad o doctorado. La mayoría de los pediatras trabaja en el sector público en atención primaria, como asalariados, con pocas perspectivas de promoción y con horarios inestables y jornadas extensas. Existen riesgos psicosociales relacionados con la carga de trabajo y con la baja participación en las decisiones. Les preocupa el impacto de la crisis sobre su práctica médica y sus pacientes, más que sobre su salario que como consecuencia se ha visto reducido. Se han observado estilos de vida saludables y una buena salud autopercibida, a pesar de presentar un riesgo elevado de mala salud mental (AU)

Background. Health, life style, habits, working conditions, sociodemographic characteristics of the work place, and psychosocial risks of pediatricians in Spain has been poorly studied. Objective. To evaluate the health status, life style, and working conditions of pediatricians in Spain. Method. We constructed a multiple-choice survey addressed to pediatricians in Spain, with a final sample of 1,028 professionals (response rate of 18.5%). Results. There was a preponderance of females (59%), and primary care providers (71%). The predominant working day model was as continuous morning shift under statutory contract, which was more precarious for young practitioners and women, with an average of 45 hours per week. The working conditions were satisfactory for 64.7% of the pediatricians. The psychosocial risk was high; the proportion of professionals suffering anxiety and depression disorders was higher than among the general population. Conclusions. We observed a trend towards the increase of females and of individuals with subspecialty or doctorate. Most pediatricians work in the public sector in primary care, with limited options for promotion, and with unstable schedules and long shifts. There are significant psychosocial risks related to the workload and the low participation in decision making, along with concerns about the impact of the financial crisis on their practice and their patients, rather than on their own salaries. Despite the high risk for poor mental health, the pediatricians indicate having a healthy life style and good health (AU)

The Transition of Medical Students Through Residency: Effects on Physical Activity and Other Lifestyle-Related Behaviors.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about lifestyle choices and preventive healthcare-seeking behaviors during the transition from medical school graduation to residency training, a period characterized by increased rates of stress and lack of free time due to demanding working conditions. All of these issues are likely to affect physical activity (PA) level. This study explored the evolution of PA and other lifestyle behaviors during this transition. METHODS: A cross-sectional study and a cohort study were conducted with medical students (2010) and physicians before and after the first year of residency (2013 and 2014). A self-administered questionnaire assessed PA, health and lifestyle behaviors. RESULTS: From a sample of 420 medical students and 478 residents, 74% comply with current PA guidelines. PA decreased by 16% during residency. Low levels of PA were found among (i) females and in respondents who reported (ii) poor self-perceived health and (iii) unhealthy body weight (P < .05). Low PA level was also significantly associated with poor mental health in first-year residents. CONCLUSIONS: The transition has a negative effect on physicians' PA level that may affect physicians' own health and patient care. Medical programs should encourage residents to engage in PA to assure physicians' personal and mental health.

Physical activity level and lifestyle-related risk factors from Catalan physicians.

BACKGROUND: Physicians' own Physical Activity (PA) and other health-related habits influence PA promotion. The current study identifies the PA level, according to the current PA recommendations and other health-related habits of physicians from the Catalan Medical Council. METHODS: 2400 physicians (30-55 years) were randomly selected; each received a self-administered mailed questionnaire identifying medical specialization, work setting, health self-perception, body mass index (BMI), PA, and smoking habits. RESULTS: 762 physicians responded (52% female). Almost 1 in 2 (49.3%) exercised sufficiently, nearly all self-perceived good health, while 80.5% were nonsmokers. Almost 6 in 10 males reported overweight or obesity (56.9%) versus 18.2% of females. Active physicians dominated specific groups: (1) aged 45-55 years, (2) specializing either in primary care or surgery, (3) working in the private sector, (4) BMI < 25 kg/m2, (5) perceiving themselves in good health, or (6) having free leisure time. CONCLUSIONS: Only half of Catalan physicians met current PA recommendations; male physicians were particularly at risk for overweight/obesity. Overweight and under-exercise were associated with private workplaces and positive health perceptions, meaning that it is it is now possible to target inactive and/or overweight Catalan physicians in future interventions.