Main Aspects Related to Burnout Syndrome in Healthcare Professionals: An Integrative Literature Review

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Healthcare work requires intense and prolonged attention from professionals to people who are in situations of need and dependence. Close contact with patients and the fear of making mistakes during care are additional chronic stress factors that favor the occurrence of Burnout. OBJECTIVE: To identify the main aspects related to the Burnout syndrome, due to the relevance of the current theme, according to the literature. METHODOLOGY: This is an integrative literature review, based on articles published between 2014 and 2019, indexed in the Lilacs and Bdenf databases. RESULTS: The results obtained with this study enabled the identification of the main risk factors related to the occurrence of Burnout syndrome, highlighting the infrastructure deficiencies, the rigid hierarchical structure, the excessive workload and lack of material. The syndrome causes numerous damages to the emotional and physical health of workers, such as memory deficit, immunological and cardiovascular impairment, myalgia, social isolation, aggressiveness, among others. All these symptoms generate repercussions such as poor professional performance, physical and mental exhaustion, and depersonalization, causing negative effects on the professional and social environments. CONCLUSIONS: This study made it possible to reflect on the process of illness of professionals regarding Burnout syndrome. It was possible to identify health professionals as a vulnerable population that needs attention from health service managers to carry out epidemiological investigations, in addition to actions of prevention and health promotion.