Burnout syndrome and accidents in primary healthcare nursing workers: a scoping review

Burnout syndrome is characterized by intense physical and psychological exhaustion related to work. Many professionals are exposed to this condition, but nursing workers stand out. Working in primary healthcare requires a lot of attention and constant demands that can lead to exhaustion and thus make them more vulnerable to occupational accidents. This study aimed to map the profile and summarize the available scientific evidence on burnout syndrome and its relationship with accidents among primary health care nursing workers, as well as ways of coping.

A scoping review was carried out in the National Library of Medicine (PubMed), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Web of Science (WoS), Excerpa Medica DataBASE (Embase), PsycINFO-APA PsycNET (American Psychological Association) and Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (LILACS) databases, published in Portuguese, Spanish, or English, without a time frame. Partial research reports, editorials and response letters were excluded.

A total of 872 articles were found from primary sources and 11 from references cited in articles. After selection and application of eligibility criteria, a sample of 11 materials was obtained. The studies showed convergence in some findings that were grouped into the following categories: Profile and risk factors for occupational accidents associated with burnout; Risks and harm to patients; and Strategies for coping with and reducing accidents associated with burnout.

The materials were published mainly in English, produced in various regions of the world and using different methods. Primary healthcare nursing professionals providing direct patient care, with less experience and with a medium level of education were those who most frequently reported accidents resulting from burnout. Accidents involving biological and chemical materials were the most frequent and were associated with the need for very quick decision-making, little training, excessive demands and long working hours. There were repercussions on patient safety and accidents further aggravated the feeling of professional burnout. Coping measures include the use of stress and fatigue measurement instruments, training to reduce accidents and internet-based interventions. The studies' methodological quality suggests the need for more in-depth experimental research to suggest more assertive evidence.