José Gustavo Monteiro Penha

This study evaluated the association between occupational stress and compassion fatigue among Brazilian nurses working in a hospital setting. This study is a census-based, cross-sectional, descriptive, and correlational investigation conducted among 83 nurses from a medium-sized university hospital in the southernmost part of Brazil. Validated instruments were used to assess occupational stress (Work Stress Scale) and professional quality of life (Professional Quality of Life Scale – ProQoL-BR). Logistic regression models were used to analyze the association between occupational stress and compassion fatigue, while adjusting for sociodemographic and professional variables. The prevalence of compassion fatigue was 65.9%, while 34.9% of participants exhibited occupational stress. A 10% increase in the occupational stress score was associated with a 33% increase in the likelihood of developing compassion fatigue. This association was influenced by variables such as age, sex, and sleep duration. This study associated occupational stress with compassion fatigue among hospital nurses, particularly in more vulnerable subgroups, such as female, older, and sleep-deprived professionals. These findings underscore the need for institutional policies that promote occupational health and prevent psychosocial problems.

Background/Objectives: Nursing professionals were among the most affected groups during the COVID-19 pandemic, exposed to simultaneous physical demands and emotional strain. This study examined the interplay between work engagement, compassion fatigue, and musculoskeletal symptoms among frontline nurses in a Brazilian public hospital. Methods: A cross-sectional study (n = 77) was conducted between February and April 2022 using validated instruments (Work Stress Scale, ProQoL-BR, Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, and UWES-9). Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed (p ≤ 0.05). Results: Most participants did not report occupational stress (84.4%). No profiles of compassion fatigue were identified, although notable rates of burnout (26.0%) and secondary traumatic stress (23.4%) were observed. Engagement scores were very high in vigor and dedication. Musculoskeletal symptoms were prevalent, especially in the lumbar region (chronic: 60.0%). Female sex, statutory employment, and lack of physical activity were associated with a higher prevalence of symptoms and sick leave. Work engagement (vigor and overall score) showed negative correlations with absenteeism. Conclusions: The coexistence of high engagement and emotional vulnerability, in the absence of compassion fatigue, suggests that higher levels of engagement may be associated with lower occupational stress. These findings highlight the importance of integrated strategies, including ergonomic interventions, health promotion, and organizational support, to preserve the physical and mental health of frontline nursing professionals. This study provides new evidence of engagement as a potential protective factor that may mitigate physical and emotional burden among nurses in resource-limited settings.

Objectives: This study investigated levels of work engagement and the occurrence of compassion fatigue among nursing professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive, and correlational study was conducted at a Brazilian university hospital between February and April 2022. The Brazilian versions of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-9) and the Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL-BR) were administered. Results: High levels of compassion satisfaction (44.9 points), low levels of burnout (21.0 points), and low levels of secondary traumatic stress (22.8 points) were observed. No professional demonstrated a profile consistent with compassion fatigue. Engagement levels were high for dedication (5.3) and moderate for vigor (4.9), absorption (4.5), and overall engagement (4.9). Burnout showed moderate negative correlations with vigor (r = −0.611, p = 0.005) and dedication (r = −0.599, p = 0.019). Compassion satisfaction showed moderate positive correlations with vigor (r = 0.522, p < 0.001) and dedication (r = 0.572, p < 0.001). The overall engagement score was moderately and positively correlated with compassion satisfaction (r = 0.532, p < 0.001). Conclusions: This study identified high levels of work engagement, especially regarding dedication, and low levels of compassion fatigue among nursing professionals. The data suggest that even amid the emotional and physical demands imposed by the pandemic, participants preserved their emotional well-being and maintained a positive relationship with their work.

Objetivo: Identificar la presencia de fatiga por compasión entre los profesionales de enfermería de las unidades de cuidados intensivos de un hospital universitario brasileño y analizar su asociación con características sociodemográficas y profesionales. Método: Se trata de un estudio transversal, descriptivo y correlacional, realizado con profesionales de enfermería de una unidad de emergencia y de tres unidades de cuidados intensivos de un hospital universitario brasileño. La recolección de datos se realizó entre agosto y diciembre de 2019. Se utilizó un cuestionario sociodemográfico y la cuarta versión de la Professional Quality of Life Scale, traducida y validada en Brasil (ProQol-BR). Resultados: Veintiocho (19,2%) profesionales presentaron fatiga por compasión, de los cuales 16 (57,1%) son técnicos de enfermería. La mayoría de los profesionales con fatiga por compasión son mujeres (82,1%), con edades entre 18 y 39 años (60,7%), casados (71,4%), con estudios superiores (50,0%), trabajaban en Urgencias (50,0%), llevaban menos de dos años (35,7%), trabajaban de noche (42,9%), realizaban actividades asistenciales (85,7%), con ingresos de entre dos y cinco salarios mínimos (64,3%), no tenían otro trabajo remunerado (89,3%) y no practicaban actividad física (53,6%). Conclusión: La fatiga por compasión afecta a una proporción significativa de profesionales sanitarios, especialmente a los técnicos de enfermería. Factores como la intensa carga de trabajo, los turnos nocturnos y la falta de actividad física son determinantes en el desarrollo de esta patología. Esto pone de manifiesto la urgente necesidad de implementar estrategias específicas para prevenir y gestionar la fatiga por compasión en el lugar de trabajo.

RESUMO Objetivos: analisar os níveis de fadiga por compaixão, estresse ocupacional e engajamento no trabalho e sua correlação, em enfermeiros de um hospital universitário. Métodos: estudo transversal com 83 enfermeiros, realizado em 2019, utilizando escalas validadas. Aplicaram-se testes descritivos, de confiabilidade e de correlação (p≤0,05). Resultados: prevalência de 34,9% de estresse ocupacional e 15,9% de fadiga por compaixão; altos níveis de dedicação (4,6±1,0), absorção (4,2±1,0) e vigor (4,4±1,1). Enfermeiros com estresse ocupacional tinham maior probabilidade de fadiga por compaixão (OR=2,668; IC95%: 0,799-8,898), níveis elevados de burnout (média=53,8; p=0,013) e estresse traumático secundário (média=53,0; p=0,047). Profissionais com fadiga apresentaram redução na dedicação (p=0,011) e no vigor (p=0,001). Conclusões: a relação entre estresse ocupacional e fadiga por compaixão aumenta o risco de burnout, estresse traumático secundário e reduz a dedicação e o vigor, destacando a necessidade de medidas institucionais para promover o bem-estar, especialmente no contexto pós-pandêmico, marcado por sobrecarga, escassez de recursos e sofrimento.

Objectives: to analyze the levels of compassion fatigue, occupational stress, and work engagement, and their correlation among nurses at a university hospital. Methods: cross-sectional study conducted in 2019 with 83 nurses, using validated scales. Descriptive, reliability, and correlation tests were applied (p ≤ 0.05). Results: a prevalence of 34.9% for occupational stress and 15.9% for compassion fatigue was observed; high levels of dedication (4.6 ± 1.0), absorption (4.2 ± 1.0), and vigor (4.4 ± 1.1) were reported. Nurses with occupational stress were more likely to experience compassion fatigue (OR = 2.668; 95% CI: 0.799-8.898), and had higher levels of burnout (mean = 53.8; p = 0.013) and secondary traumatic stress (mean = 53.0; p = 0.047). Professionals with compassion fatigue showed reduced dedication (p = 0.011) and vigor (p = 0.001). Conclusions: the relationship between occupational stress and compassion fatigue increases the risk of burnout and secondary traumatic stress, and reduces dedication and vigor, highlighting the need for institutional measures to promote well-being, especially in the post-pandemic context marked by overload, resource scarcity, and distress.

This article examines the association between levels of compassion fatigue and work engagement with COVID-19 in nursing professionals. A longitudinal, before-and-after study was conducted with nursing professionals working in the frontline in the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods. Our study applied the Brazilian versions of the Professional Quality of Life Scale and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale. High levels of compassion satisfaction (≥43.0), low levels of burnout (<23.0) and secondary traumatic stress (<23.0), as well as high levels of vigor (≥4.0 and ≤4.99), absorption (≥4.0 and ≤4.99), and overall score (≥4.0 and ≤4.99) were observed. Moderate, negative, and significant correlations of burnout with vigor (r: -0.505; p-value: <0.001), in the pre-pandemic period; and with overall score, in the pre-pandemic (r: -0.543; p-value: <0.001) and pandemic periods (r: -0.458; p-value: <0.001), were also observed. No changes in levels of work engagement were found. Professionals with compassion fatigue showed decreased vigor, absorption, and overall score, rated as medium in the pandemic period (≥2.0 and ≤3.99), and an increased dedication, which was low (≥1.0 and ≤1.99) in the pre-pandemic period. It was concluded that there is no harmful association between compassion fatigue and work engagement with COVID-19 in nursing professionals.

Resumo O artigo analisa a associação entre níveis de fadiga por compaixão e engajamento no trabalho com a COVID-19 em profissionais de enfermagem. Estudo longitudinal, tipo antes e depois, realizado com profissionais de enfermagem da linha de frente, nos períodos pré-pandêmico e pandêmico. Utilizou-se as versões brasileiras da Professional Quality of Life Scale e da Utrecht Work Engagement Scale. Observou-se altos níveis de satisfação por compaixão (≥43,0), baixos níveis de burnout (<23,0) e estresse traumático secundário (<23,0); e níveis altos de vigor (≥4,0 e ≤4,99), absorção (≥4,0 e ≤4,99) e escore geral (≥4,0 e ≤4,99). Houve correlação moderada, negativa e significativa do burnout com vigor (r: -0,505; p-valor: <0,001), no pré-pandemia; e com o escore geral, no pré-pandemia (r: -0,543; p-valor: <0,001) e período pandêmico (r: -0,458; p-valor: <0,001). Não houve alterações nos níveis de engajamento no trabalho. Profissionais com fadiga por compaixão tiveram redução do vigor, absorção e escore geral, classificados como médios no período pandêmico (≥2,0 e ≤3,99); e aumento da dedicação, que era baixa (≥1,0 e ≤1,99) no pré-pandemia. Concluiu-se não haver associação danosa entre fadiga por compaixão e engajamento no trabalho com a COVID-19 nos profissionais de enfermagem.

To investigate the presence of burnout syndrome in child athlete tryouts for the Brazilian Handball Team, before and after the National Development and Technical Improvement Camp is of great interest. A correlational study, with longitudinal design of the before-and-after type, carried out with 64 male athletes in the children’s category, immersed in the National Camp for Development and Improvement of Handball Technique, in the municipality of São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo, Brazil, in December 2018. To evaluate burnout syndrome, we used the Athlete Burnout Questionnaire (ABQ). There was a statistically significant increase of the mean scores for burnout and dimensions (Physical and Emotional Exhaustion = 1.5 to 1.6; p-value < 0.001; Reduced Sense of Accomplishment = 2.7 to 2.9; p-value < 0.001; Sports Devaluation = 1.4 to 1.6; p-value < 0.001; and General Burnout = 1.9 to 2.0; p-value < 0.001). The athletes selected for the national team had lower mean scores for general burnout and dimensions (Physical and Emotional Exhaustion = 1.5; Reduced Sense of Accomplishment = 2.7; Sports Devaluation = 1.5; General Burnout = 1.9). The National Camp for Development and Technical Improvement can have a negative impact on the mental health of athletes. This event is important to select the competitors with greater ability to face the pressure and adversities present in the sport environment.

RESUMO Objetivo: Sintetizar o conhecimento acerca dos indicadores de sustentabilidade hospitalar e evidências de redução do impacto socioambiental. Método: Revisão de literatura, do tipo scoping review, utilizando as bases de dados Pubmed, Science Direct, Scielo e Lilacs. Foram incluídos estudos com recorte temporal de 10 anos, publicados em qualquer idioma, que abordassem indicadores de sustentabilidade hospitalar e evidências de redução do impacto socioambiental. Resultados: Um total de 28 artigos foram incluídos, a maioria teve como tipo de estudo a pesquisa aplicada, publicados em 2012, no idioma inglês. Os estudos demonstraram maneiras de economizar água e energia, bem como, formas de monitorar e mitigar o impacto de atividades relacionadas a efluentes, resíduos e emissões. Todos os estudos tinham o trabalho da enfermagem envolvido de forma direta ou indireta na sustentabilidade hospitalar. Conclusão: As possibilidades de gerar menos impacto ao meio ambiente e aumentar a economia/eficiência de um hospital são inúmeras. Há de se levar em consideração as particularidades de cada hospital e envolver os trabalhadores, em especial a enfermagem.