Complicaciones del estrés laboral en el personal de salud

Abstract

Work-related stress is an overall health issue among healthcare professionals globally, driven by the demanding responsibilities of patient care and continuous exposure to stressors in the workplace. This research aimed to identify the complications of work-related stress in healthcare professionals, employing a qualitative, descriptive, non-experimental, and documentary methodology. The PRISMA method was applied for the initial selection of 41 publications gathered from databases such as SciELO, Google Scholar, Dialnet, Elsevier, Research Gate, UCACUE Repository, and other Higher Education Repositories, with a final sample of 17 studies included in the review process. The findings revealed high levels of work-related stress among healthcare personnel, which lead to various long-term physical consequences, including headaches, gastrointestinal, dermatological, digestive issues, and cardiovascular disorders. Moreover, this study identified some mental health conditions such as anxiety, sleep disturbances, depression, excessive fatigue, job dissatisfaction, and emotional exhaustion. In response to work-related stress, healthcare professionals employ many coping strategies targeting problem-solving and emotional regulation. Among the most commonly used strategies are seeking social support, practicing religiosity, avoiding and resolving conflicts, engaging in wishful thinking, and utilizing emotional intelligence. In conclusion, healthcare professionals are constantly exposed to high levels of work-related stress, which, in the long term, results in complications affecting their health and professional performance, significantly impacting their biopsychosocial well-being.