Prevención de burnout y fatiga por compasión: evaluación de una intervención grupal

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a group intervention designed to reduce symptoms of burnout and compassion fatigue. By non-probabilistic sampling 24 volunteer participants, 21 women and 3 men (mean age 43.5 ± 7.9) were recruited, they played managerial functions in organizations that give services to vulnerable population. By quota sampling, 3 independent therapeutic groups were formed with 8 participants each, a package of instruments was used to measure burnout, compassion fatigue, depression and anxiety at 3 moments: baseline, post-treatment and follow-up at 3 months. The intervention was preventive and with 2 axis: one therapeutic (interpersonal group therapy with cognitive behavioral components) and another psychoeducational; it was implemented by the author through 20 biweekly sessions of 3 h each, plus an additional follow-up session. There was a significant decrease (P < .05) in symptoms of emotional exhaustion, depression, burnout and anxiety, a change that remained stable for the 2 first variables after 3 months. In conclusion, the group intervention was efficient and specific to reduce key symptoms of burnout in professionals who experience high levels of work stress.