BURNOUT SYNDROME IN DOCTORS, A NEGLECTED PROBLEM

Abstract

The individual’s relationship with his work and experiences in the work environment results in satisfaction and personal improvement and, at the same time, can be a source of stress and professional exhaustion. Burnout syndrome (BS) is a psychological syndrome that arises from an ongoing response to chronic interpersonal stressors at work. Professions that require a high level of stress on a daily basis are more susceptible to BS, especially in healthcare professionals. The prevalence of this syndrome in medical specialties is well documented and shows impressive rates. It is a public health problem that can lead to medical leave, increasing the costs to the employers, in addition to affecting the quality of the service offered with potentially serious consequences for caregivers, patients and health institutions, including the risk of medical malpractice, depression, and adverse effects on patient safety. The long-term effects of BS on healthcare workers, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, must be a significant concern for governments, medical entities, hospitals and physicians themselves. Addressing medical burnout should be seen as a shared responsibility between health systems, organizations, institutions and individual physicians.