Estudio de la relación entre la vocación profesional y el síndrome de burnout en profesionales sanitarios de un Centro de Salud de Guayaquil.

Abstract

This case study of healthcare professionals sought to establish the relationship between burnout syndrome and professional vocation at a health center in Guayaquil during the period 2025-2026, where staff work 8-hour shifts from Monday to Friday. The study employed a mixed-methods approach, administering instruments to healthcare professionals using a census sample. The seven professionals completed two standardized questionnaires: the Calling and Vocation Questionnaire (Dik et al., 2012) and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (Maslach & Jackson, 1981). A focus group was also conducted to gather information on the professionals' experiences and perceptions. The research determined that there is no relationship between the variables; Fisher's exact test yielded a p-value > 0.05, the healthcare professionals exhibited burnout syndrome. However, when evaluating the three dimensions, it was determined that two participants had high emotional exhaustion, two others had high depersonalization, and two more had low personal accomplishment. No single healthcare professional met the criteria for a burnout diagnosis. Regarding professional vocation and responsiveness to call-up, five participants had high levels and two had medium levels, indicating that the healthcare professionals at the center do have a strong sense of professional vocation. According to the focus group, reducing emotional exhaustion requires decreasing the administrative workload and improving workplace safety.