PROFESSIONAL BURNOUT AMONG PRIMARY HEALTHCARE WORKERS

Abstract

The article examines the psychological prerequisites, factors, and manifestations of professional burnout among primary healthcare workers. The analysis explores specific characteristics of medical professionals’ work that contribute to the development of emotional exhaustion and compassion fatigue. Contemporary approaches to the prevention and management of burnout in healthcare settings are also reviewed. The aim of the study – to determine the level of professional burnout among primary healthcare workers and to identify their key needs regarding preventive interventions. In the course of the study, the authors used the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI) in its abbreviated version in combination with a developed questionnaire. The study was conducted in the format of training sessions and individual consultations. The obtained results demonstrated a high prevalence of professional burnout syndrome among primary healthcare workers in Ukraine. The overall burnout rate of 48,82% indicates that nearly half of the respondents are experiencing moderate exhaustion, while 4,1% are in a critical condition requiring urgent professional assistance. The highest scores were recorded on the personal burnout scale (M = 58,79%). The study also showed that experience of working in crisis situations did not have a significant impact on burnout levels. This may suggest that contemporary primary healthcare professionals are exposed to chronic stress regardless of the specific nature of their practice. At the same time, this finding may indicate insufficient training and a lack of effective coping strategies across all groups of medical professionals. Conclusions: Primary healthcare workers demonstrate significant signs of professional exhaustion, which necessitates systematic preventive interventions with an emphasis on resource restoration methods and self-help techniques. Personal burnout is the most pronounced dimension, highlighting the need for a comprehensive preventive approach that addresses not only professional, but also personal and social factors.