Keywords
emotional burnout syndrome
prevention
work ability
How to Cite
Abstract
Background. Emotional Burnout Syndrome (EBS) among healthcare workers is a pressing public health issue that affects professional performance, patient safety, and healthcare system sustainability. Despite growing recognition, standardized early detection and prevention models remain underdeveloped in Ukraine.
Aim. To conduct medical and social research and develop a model for early detection and prevention of burnout syndrome among healthcare workers.
Materials & Methods. The study employed structural-functional modeling, synthesized from a literature review and empirical research conducted in 2021–2023. The study population comprised 483 healthcare professionals (study group, n=294; control group, n=189). An index-based approach was applied using integral indicators: Emotional Burnout Index (EBI), Stress Load Index (SLI), Support Index (SI), Access to Help Index (AHI), Learning Readiness Index (LRI), and Work Ability Index (WAI). Risk prediction was performed using Wald’s Sequential Probability Ratio Test. The model was validated via expert elicitation (12 experts) on a 10-point scale.
Research Ethics. The study was conducted in accordance with the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki (1964–2024). Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of Kharkiv National Medical University. All participants provided written informed consent.
Results. Structural changes in burnout prevalence were observed: the proportion of individuals with EBI <40% decreased from 354.7‰ to 314.7‰, while those with EBI >70% increased from 191.9‰ to 231.9‰. Thirty risk factors were identified, with organizational-managerial determinants showing the strongest effect. Work ability among healthcare workers with burnout symptoms was low (mean WAI, [42.23±0.91]%). Access to help was limited (mean AHI, 59.18%), with the presence of specialized services significantly increasing the odds of high access (odds ratio, OR=43.56; p<0.001). A functional-structural model integrating screening, risk stratification, forecasting, and routing to assistance was developed and validated (mean overall score, [8.7±0.6] points).
Conclusions. The proposed model ensures standardized index-based screening, risk stratification, forecasting, formalized access to psychotherapeutic assistance, and monitoring of effectiveness, including work ability assessment. Implementation of the model corresponds to contemporary international approaches to mental health governance in the workplace.
Keywords: social medicine, emotional burnout syndrome, prevention, work ability.
References
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