Burnout Syndrome and health professionals during the Covid-19 pandemic: a narrative review

Abstract

Objective: To discuss Burnout Syndrome (BS), characterized by mental exhaustion related to work in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. Bibliographic review: BS is a disease caused by a failure in the management of chronic stress during labor activity and represents the highest rate of psychosocial problems. It is related to professions linked to social values ​​and commitments, for this reason, mental exhaustion and personal dissatisfaction can trigger Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation and addiction or abuse of chemical substances. Regarding individual care aimed at preventing BS, it is necessary to teach the professional techniques to control stress, combining behavioral therapies, regular physical exercise, meditation, intensifying self-care, preserving rest and balance between the professional and personal sectors. Final considerations: The literature pointed out that exposed individuals, such as health professionals dealing with Covid-19, exposed to stress and exhaustion, are immersed in such an extreme context that they need opportunities to recover depleted cognitive and emotional resources. Thus, they are susceptible to developing psychological syndromes such as Burnout.