Burnout Among Emergency, ICU and Burn Unit Professionals: A Qualitative Study in Tirana

Burnout is an increasingly prevalent issue in healthcare, particularly in high-stress hospital units that demand constant emotional, cognitive, and ethical engagement. This qualitative study explores the lived experiences and clinical consequences of burnout among healthcare professionals working in the Emergency, Intensive Care, and Burn Units at the University Hospital Center "Mother Teresa" in Tirana, Albania. Employing a phenomenological approach, the study involved 18 experienced clinicians (9 physicians and 9 nurses), each with a minimum of five years of service. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and the data were thematically analyzed to examine how prolonged emotional and occupational stress affects empathy, communication, clinical decisionmaking, and moral sensitivity. The study also investigates how the presence or absence of institutional support shapes these experiences and impacts the quality of patient care. Thematic analysis revealed four central themes: lack of institutional support, moral strain in clinical practice, impaired decision-making, and erosion of empathy, all contributing to compromised care quality. Burnout presents significant risks not only to the mental health of healthcare professionals but also to patient safety, potentially creating a self-reinforcing cycle of emotional disengagement, moral distress, and systemic dysfunction if left unaddressed. As one of the first qualitative investigations of burnout within the Albanian healthcare context, this study offers valuable insights to inform the development of targeted strategies and institutional policies aimed at protecting healthcare workers' well-being and improving the overall quality of patient care.