Coping with Burnout Syndrome Associated with a COVID-19 Flare-up in Santiago de Cuba

Abstract

Introduction: Health personnel have faced several risks during the COVID-19 pandemic, among them Burnout syndrome. In this process, the ways to face it are key.

Objective: To identify the presence of Burnout syndrome, its factors, consequences and ways of coping in health professionals.

Methods: Quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study, carried out at the "José Martí" Polyclinic, Santiago de Cuba, from December 2020 to February 2021. We worked with 71 professionals (physicians and nurses). The Brief Burnout Questionnaire, the Coping Modes Scale and observation were applied. The variables were age, gender, occupational category, working time, presence of Burnout syndrome, factors, and consequences and coping modes. The data obtained were grouped by means of frequencies and percentages.

Results: Women prevailed (83.10 %), aged 31 to 50 years (52.11 %), with 1 to 5 years of work (36.62 %). Burnout was identified in 59 participants (83.10 %). Repercussions were found such as insomnia, headaches, and effects on interpersonal relationships and work performance. The main coping modes used were self-control, planning, positive reappraisal, distancing and flight-avoidance.

Conclusions: The personnel evaluated were predominantly affected by Burnout, mediated by aspects related to the characteristics of the task, the organization and boredom generated by the activity performed. Physical, social and psychological consequences were manifested in them, privileging the use of coping resources focused on the solution of the problem, emotional regulation and cognitive coping.

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