SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to estimate the current prevalence of burnout syndrome among medical students at the Federal University of Sergipe and identify its associated factors. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted with medical students randomly selected between April and June 2019. This study compared two medical schools from the same university with different teaching models: the Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju campus, with a traditional teaching model, and the Federal University of Sergipe Lagarto campus, with a problem-based learning teaching model. An online questionnaire on the sociodemographic characteristics, personal aspects, and educational process of the participants, in addition to the Malash Burnout Inventory-Student Survey questionnaire for screening burnout syndrome, was distributed to the participants. The descriptive analysis of the data, calculation of the prevalence ratios, and multivariate analysis by logistic regression were performed. RESULTS: This study included 213 students with an average age of 23±3.77, and 50.2% of the students were male. Among the sample, 21.6% of the students met the three-dimensional criterion for burnout syndrome and 51.6% met the two-dimensional criterion. Burnout levels were higher in the students who rarely received the emotional support they needed in the program (OR 3.98), those who thought about dropping out of the undergraduate (OR 2.88), and those who considered their academic performance to be regular or weak (OR 12.1). The traditional teaching model was not a factor associated with burnout syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that a high prevalence of burnout syndrome is associated with psychosocial factors and the educational processes of medical students.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: Estimar a prevalência de Síndrome de Burnout (SB) e fatores associados entre os internos de medicina de uma universidade pública no Nordeste do Brasil, além de investigar a contribuição do Grupo Balint (GB) na sua prevenção. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal em fevereiro/2018 com os internos de medicina da universidade pesquisada. Aplicou-se um questionário estruturado elaborado pelos autores sobre características sociodemográficas, processo educacional com participação do GB e vivências psicoemocionais atuais, além do Maslach Burnout Inventory – Student Survey (MBI-SS) para triagem de SB. Realizaram-se análise descritiva, regressão logística e análise de agrupamentos. RESULTADOS: Participaram 184 estudantes (98%), com idade média de 25,9±3,9 anos, sendo 54,9% do sexo masculino. A prevalência de SB foi 10,3% pelo critério tridimensional e 35,9% pelo bidimensional (Exaustão e Descrença), sendo maior naqueles que pensaram em abandonar o curso (OR=2,14), estavam insatisfeitos com as estratégias de ensino (OR=2,67) e com seu desempenho acadêmico (OR=2,64) e faziam uso de drogas lícitas (OR=2,37). As variáveis associadas à SB permitiram discriminar os indivíduos classificando-os em três subgrupos. A prevalência de SB diminuiu e fatores de vulnerabilidade foram atenuados quando houve maior frequência de estudantes participantes do GB. CONCLUSÕES: A prevalência de SB pelo critério bidimensional foi alta, com fatores associados ao processo educacional. A participação no GB foi associada à menor prevalência de SB. Estudos longitudinais devem ser realizados.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND: We intend to estimate the Burnout Syndrome prevalence and its associated factors among medical internship students at a public university in northeastern Brasil, besides investigating the Balint Group (BG) contribution in its prevention. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study in February/2018 with Medical Internship Students at the University researched. We applied a structured questionnaire developed by the authors about socio-demographic data, educational process with BG participation, and current psycho-emotional experiences, in addition to the Maslach Burnout Inventory – Student Survey (MBI-SS), for Burnout Syndrome screening. We performed descriptive data analysis, logistic regression, and cluster analysis. RESULTS: A total of 184 students (98%) participated in the study, with a mean age of 25.9±3.9 years, of which 54.9% were men. The prevalence of Burnout Syndrome was 10.3% based on the three-dimensional criterion and 35.9% on two-dimensional criterion (Exhaustion and Cynicism); it was higher in those who thought about quitting the program (OR=2.14), were dissatisfied with the teaching strategies (OR=2.67) and their performance (OR=2.64) and made use of licit drugs (OR=2.37). The variables associated with Burnout Syndrome allowed individuals to be discriminated, classifying them into three subgroups. Burnout Syndrome prevalence decreased, and vulnerability factors were attenuated when there was a higher frequency of students participating in BG. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of two-dimensional Burnout Syndrome was high, with factors associated with the educational process. Participation in BG was associated with a lower Burnout rate prevalence. Longitudinal studies should be conducted.