Burnout Syndrome in Palliative Care Professionals: A Systematic Review of Prevalence, Associated Factors, and Coping Strategies
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5644/ama2006-124.520Keywords:
Palliative Care, Burnout Syndrome, Coping Strategies, COVID‑19, Occupational StressAbstract
This systematic review aims to evaluate the prevalence of burnout, its associated determinants, and the coping strategies employed by palliative care professionals. Burnout, characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and diminished personal accomplishment, poses a significant threat to clinician well-being and the quality of care delivered to patients with life-limiting illnesses. A comprehensive search of PubMed and Embase identified eleven eligible studies published between 2021 and 2025. Following thematic synthesis, four overarching themes were identified: (1) work-related stress: heavy workloads, emotional demands and lack of support, (2) burden of burnout: the unique stressors facing palliative care professionals, (3) impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: increased workloads and exposure to high-risk environments, and (4) coping strategies: symptom recognition and etiological factors, organizational support and resilience factors.
Conclusion: Burnout remains a pervasive challenge in palliative care, and sustained, evidence-based organizational strategies are essential to protect clinician well-being and ensure high-quality patient care. Future research should determine the long-term effectiveness of these interven- tions and assess whether tailored approaches are required for specific professional groups and care settings.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Marius D. Colceriu, Ruxandra M. Râjnoveanu, Daniela V. Moșoiu, Ionuț R. Popa, Delia G. Ciuca, Armand G. Râjnoveanu, Minodora M. Manea, Gabriel F. Brișan, Doina A. Todea, Milena A. Man, Carmen M. Pop
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