Communication skills: a preventive factor in Burnout syndrome in health professionals

Background. Health professionals are a group that suffers high levels of job stress and burnout. The aim of this study is to demonstrate empirically that the healthcare count on communication skills helps prevent Burnout Syndrome. Method. An observational, analytical, cross-sectional study was proposed, involving a sample of 927 health professionals (197 doctors, 450 nurses and 280 auxiliary nurses). Participants completed questionnaires measuring communication skills in health care (EHC-PS) and the Maslach Burnout Inventory Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS). Results. A negative and statistically significant correlation between the different dimensions of communication skills and emotional exhaustion and depersonalization dimensions of burnout was obtained. On the other hand, a positive and statistically significant correlation between the dimensions of communication skills and the personal accomplishment dimension of burnout was observed. Conclusions. It was shown that the communication skills of health professionals provide protection from and cushion Burnout Syndrome.