Introduction:

Although burnout syndrome has been extensively studied in healthcare workers, there are few studies that specifically address it in physical therapists, and when this has been done, the rates have been found to range from low to medium-high.

The recent COVID-19 pandemic has been and continues to be a significant challenge for the healthcare system. In this scenario, it may be of interest to evaluate the burnout index in the group of physical therapists.

Objective:

The objective of this study is to measure the prevalence of burnout in the group of physical therapists in Jaén and province, as well as to study possible phenomena associated with it.

Material and Methods:

A survey with sociodemographic data, a resilience measurement scale and a burnout measurement scale (including its three aspects: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and personal fulfillment) was sent by means of WhatsApp groups of professional scope to the physical therapists of the province from Jaén. The survey was anonymous, voluntary, and self-filling.

Results:

The prevalence of burnout among physiotherapists in the province of Jaén is superimposable to that published in other studies. Physiotherapists who do not work in the capital suffer more from emotional fatigue (p = 0.038) and there is a tendency for men to suffer more depersonalization. Among the resilience subscales that are most associated with burnout is “adaptability and support networks”.

Conclusions:

The frequency of burnout in Jaén physiotherapists is superimposable to that published by other authors, and it is not possible to establish whether the context of the COVID pandemic plays any role. Not working in the provincial capital seems to favor burnout. The burnout profile is specified above all in the “emotional fatigue” and “depersonalization” aspects, this being especially frequent in those with a low level of resilience in the “adaptability and support networks” subscale.