BURNOUT SYNDROME IN HEALTH PROFESSIONALS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

Burnout syndrome is a result of chronic stress at work, with the use of relatively ineffective coping strategies, and numerous studies conducted on nurses and physicians confirm that health professionals are particularly exposed to it. During the pandemic of COVID-19, medical staff has been exposed to additional stressors, which increase the possibility of developing burnout syndrome. This review paper provides recent data on the prevalence rate of burnout syndrome in healthcare professionals (nurses and physicians), before and during the SARS-CoV-19 virus crisis, and discusses the factors influencing the development of burnout syndrome, in order to identify the factors protecting the mental health of health professionals. The data collected in numerous studies confirm the importance of timely development of strategies for prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of persons with burnout, which would maintain the mental health of medical staff, but also the quality of care provided to patients within the health system.