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Burnout syndrome and associated factors among oncology nurses in a Mexican tertiary care hospital: a cross-sectional study
Burnout syndrome and associated factors among oncology nurses in a Mexican tertiary care hospital: a cross-sectional study
Raúl G. Ruiz-Gudiño 1 
, Laura A. Vázquez-Guevara 1 , Arturo García-Galicia 2 , Zaira A. Contreras-Sánchez 1 , Susana Barrera-Hernández 2 , Mauricio I. Gutiérrez-Razo 1 , Alfonso A. Cortés-Cuayahuitl 3 , Carlos A. López-Bernal 4 , Víctor M. Vargas-Vargas 5 , Jorge Loría-Castellanos 6
1 Direction of Health Education and Research, Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad Hospital de Especialidades de Puebla, Centro Médico Nacional Gral. de Div. Manuel Ávila Camacho, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Puebla de Zaragoza, Puebla, México; 2 Dirección de Educación e Investigación en Salud, Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad Hospital de Especialidades de Puebla, Centro Médico Nacional Gral. de Div. Manuel Ávila Camacho. Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Puebla de Zaragoza, Pue., México; 3 Coordinación Clínica de Educación e Investigación en Salud, Unidad de Medicina Familiar No. 6, Órgano Operador de Administración Descentralizada Puebla, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), México; 4 Dirección de Educación e Investigación en Salud, Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad Hospital de Especialidades de Puebla, Centro Médico Nacional Gral. de Div. Manuel Ávila Camacho, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Puebla de Zaragoza, México; 5 Care Division, Secretaría de Salud del Estado de Puebla, Puebla, Mexico; 6 Red Nacional de Educadores en Simulación Clínica, Ciudad de México, México
*Correspondence: Arturo García-Galicia. Email: neurogarciagalicia@yahoo.com.mx
Abstract
Background: Burnout is a major occupational health concern among oncology nurses due to high emotional demands, heavy workloads, and continuous exposure to patients’ suffering and death. Objective: To determine the prevalence of burnout and associated factors among oncology nursing staff at a tertiary care hospital in Mexico. Material and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among oncology nurses at a tertiary care hospital of the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS) in Puebla, Mexico. Sociodemographic and occupational variables were collected, including age, sex, marital status, educational level, professional experience, overtime work, workload, and access to psychological support. Burnout was assessed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Descriptive statistics and Cronbach’s alpha were used for data analysis. Results: Seventy-one nurses participated; 52.1% met the criteria for burnout. Most were women (86.1%), aged 31-40 years (58.4%), with 6-15 years of professional experience (53.3%). Overtime work (69.4%) and lack of psychological support (88.9%) were common. Emotional exhaustion was the most affected dimension (76.0% moderate-to-high levels), while personal accomplishment remained high (77.4%). Conclusions: Burnout is highly prevalent among oncology nurses and is associated with excessive workload and emotional demands. Strategies to improve workplace well-being, reduce workload, and strengthen mental health support are essential to promote workforce sustainability.
Keywords: Burnout. Oncology nursing. Occupational health. Nursing personnel. Mental health.
