Burnout in Health Social Work: an international systematic review (2000–2020)

ABSTRACT

Health Social Work, as a subspecialty whose interventions are carried out with individuals and families immersed in processes of health difficulties, is a caring profession potentially susceptible to the development of burnout. We intended to synthesise and analyze the available evidence on burnout among Health Social Work professionals, through a systematic, international review from 2000 to the present. The systematic review followed the PRISMA standards, and a narrative synthesis analysis was generated. The selection of studies was done through the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science (WOS), and the Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC) databases. 231 references were found, of which a total of 14 studies were finally analyzed, finding the following determinants and common points on burnout: the influence of the work setting, increased job turnover, relationship with physical and mental well-being, the importance of coping skills training, and the influence of sociodemographic variables, specifically gender. Burnout is notably prevalent in Health Social Work, going so far as to exceed that of other social health professions. Research determines that the creation and promotion of prevention and coping strategies are a necessary task.

El Trabajo Social sanitario como subespecialidad que realiza su intervención con personas y familias inmersas en procesos de dificultades de salud es una profesión de ayuda potencialmente susceptible de desarrollo de burnout. Se ha pretendido sintetizar y analizar la evidencia disponible sobre el burnout entre los profesionales del Trabajo Social sanitario, a través de una revisión sistemática, internacional y con un rango temporal que abarca desde el año 2000 hasta la actualidad. La revisión sistemática ha seguido los estándares PRISMA y se ha generado un análisis de síntesis narrativa. La selección de estudios fue recuperada a través de las bases de datos PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science (WOS) y Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC). Fueron encontrados 231 referencias, de las cuales se analizaron finalmente un total de 14 estudios, en los que se encontraron los siguientes factores determinantes y puntos comunes sobre el burnout: la influencia del entorno laboral, incremento de rotación laboral, relación sobre bienestar físico y mental, importancia del entrenamiento de destrezas para su afrontamiento y la influencia de las variables sociodemográficas, específicamente el género. Destaca la prevalencia del burnout en el Trabajo Social sanitario, llegando a superar a otras profesiones sociosanitarias. Las investigaciones determinan que la creación y fomento de estrategias para su prevención y afrontamiento son una tarea necesaria.

KEYWORDS:

• Systematic review
• burnout
• Health Social Work
• health

PALABRAS CLAVE:

• revisión sistemática
• burnout: trabajo social sanitario
• salud

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

Research carried out with the help of the University of Vigo for the recruitment of predoctoral research staff in training.

Notes on contributors

Paula Frieiro Padín

Paula Frieiro Padín M.Sc., social worker, is a PhD student and pre-doctoral fellow in the Department of Psycho-socio-educational Analysis and Intervention, at the University of Vigo. Her research considers the relationship between social media and adolescent mental health, in addition to other issues related to Social Work, such as the elderly, disabilities and education.

Carmen Verde-Diego

Carmen Verde-Diego PhD, is a full professor and researcher of Social Work at the University of Vigo. Social Work degree Coordinator (2015–2018). Director of the Department of Psychosocial and Educational Analysis and Intervention (2012–2018). Governing Board of the General Social Work Council of Spain (2010–2018). Editor-in-Chief of Social Services and Social Policy (2013–2019). The journal has won the Social Journalism Prize of the Ineprodes Foundation (2014). Coordinator and researcher of projects, has numerous conferences, published books and journal articles. Her interest areas are Social work; Social services; Ethics; Family, childhood and adolescence; Gender; Immigration.

Tamara Fernández Arias

Tamara Fernández Arias M.Sc., social worker, is a PhD student in Conflict Management and Resolution, Minors, Family and Therapeutic Justice at the University of Vigo. Her research focuses on the relationship of social work and social intervention with oncology and cancer patients, in addition to other topics like social entrepreneurship and Burnout syndrome.

Rubén González-Rodríguez

Rubén González-Rodríguez PhD, is a lecturer and researcher in Social Work at the University of Vigo. His interest areas are intervention studies, gerontology, health services for people with disabilities and disability evaluation.