Daniela Menezes Galvão

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.

The objectives of this study were to assess the adequacy of physical parameters/factors (temperature, relative humidity, noise, and illuminance levels) of the work environment in PHC facilities, to evaluate the association between the adequacy of these measured physical parameters and the physical characteristics of the PHC facilities and their surroundings and to assess the association between health professionals’ perceptions about exposure to physical risks in the PHC work environment and the adequacy of physical parameters measured in the same facilities. The study monitored 23 PHC facilities in southern Brazil and interviewed 210 health professionals. Data analysis involved Pearson’s chi-square, Fisher’s exact test, Spearman’s correlation, and multivariate linear regression analysis was used to control for confounding factors. The significance level was set at 5% (p ≤ 0.05). The combination of temperature and relative humidity presented thermal comfort levels outside the adopted criteria for adequacy in consultation (outdoor relative humidity, p = 0.013) and procedure rooms (front door open, p = 0.034). Inadequate sound comfort (noise) levels in the morning shift were found in the vaccination (front door open, p = 0.021) and consultation rooms (movement of people, p = 0.016). In PHC facilities where reception rooms had insufficient lighting, internal curtains were opened less frequently (p = 0.047). The analysis of health professionals’ perceptions of physical factors demonstrated that physicians more frequently perceive the physical risk of temperature and humidity (p = 0.044). The higher the number of nurses (p = 0.004) and oral health technicians in the PHC facilities (p = 0.031), the greater the general percentage of adequacy of monitored physical parameters. It was also confirmed that the higher the perception of moderate or severe physical risk among health professionals, the lower the general percentage of the adequacy of the physical parameters of the work environment of the PHC facilities evaluated (r_s = −0.450, p = 0.031). This study’s evidence contributes to a better understanding of physical conditions and future occupational interventions to ensure the comfort, safety, and well-being of PHC workers.

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.

Objective: To synthesize knowledge about hospital sustainability indicators and evidence of reduced socio-environmental impact. Method: Literature scoping review using Pubmed, Science Direct, Scielo and Lilacs databases. Studies in a time frame of 10 years, addressing hospital sustainability indicators and evidence of reduced socio-environmental impact published in any language were included. Results: A total of 28 articles were included, most were applied research, published in 2012, in English. Studies showed ways to save water and energy, as well as ways to monitor and mitigate the impact of activities related to effluents, waste and emissions. All studies had nursing work directly or indirectly involved in hospital sustainability. Conclusion: The possibilities of generating less impact on the environment and increasing the economy/efficiency of a hospital are countless. The particularities of each hospital must be taken into account and workers, especially nurses, should be involved.