Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Burnout syndrome is an occupational health concern among professionals working in Intensive Care Units (ICUs), settings characterized by complex care and high physical and emotional demands. This study aimed to analyze the impacts of burnout on these professionals and its relationship with patient safety and quality of care. An integrative literature review was conducted using a qualitative, descriptive, and exploratory approach, with searches in SciELO, PubMed, the Virtual Health Library, and Google Scholar. Eligible articles were published between 2015 and 2025, available in full text, written in Portuguese, English, or Spanish, and related to the study topic. The analysis identified workload overload, long working hours, staff shortages, frequent exposure to suffering, and insufficient institutional support as factors associated with burnout. Occupational exhaustion was associated with impaired attention, communication, and decision-making, with implications for quality of care and patient safety. Prevention strategies included adequate staffing, psychological support, professional recognition, and improved working conditions. It was concluded that early recognition of burnout and the adoption of institutional prevention measures are essential to promoting professionals’ mental health and ensuring safe, humanized care in intensive care settings.
Source: Revista fisio&terapia.
DOI: 10.69849/07dm0k93
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7222918791