PERNICIOTTI, Patrícia et al. Burnout syndrome in healthcare professionals: update on definitions, risk factors and preventive measures. []. , 23, 1, pp.35-52. ISSN 1516-0858.

The burnout syndrome (BOS) is a response to chronic stressors at work, characterized by three interdependent dimensions: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduction of the feeling of personal accomplishment. There is a tendency of health professionals to develop the syndrome, being frequently identified in physicians of different specialties(25 to 67%), resident physicians (7 to 76%) and nurses (10 to 70%). This article reviews the main definition, symptoms, and diagnostic criteria of BOS, exposing the divergences in the literature. It reviews the consequences and risk factors of BOS in health professionals working in hospitals, describing the role of the hospital setting and Intensive Care Units in the onset of the syndrome and highlighting self-esteem as one of the main individual factors involved. Finally, it discusses potential interventions to prevent BOS.

: burnout syndrome; health professionals; hospital; self-esteem; prevention.

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