Burnout and stress

report about a worker health support group in a Family Health Unit

Abstract

Studies have identified that half of Primary Health Care workers have a moderate to high risk of developing work-related mental illnesses, including Burnout Syndrome. Since 2016, primary health care professionals in the city of Rio de Janeiro have faced great challenges regarding their growth, recovery and stability, with the increase in violence in the city and work overload, after the decrease in the number of teams. Because of this, they have been reporting a higher level of stress both in social life and in the workplace. Therapeutic groups are a strategy to deal with emotionally complicated situations, used since the early twentieth century. This article reports on the experience of a therapeutic group focused on the employees of a Primary Health Care unit in Rio de Janeiro. The objectives of the group activity were to provide a space for support, dialogue, reflection, active listening and the development of strategies that would help health professionals feel more empowered and resilient. It is an exploratory and descriptive study of qualitative approach, with records of meetings and semi-structured interviews applied to the participants, after the development of the group. During the meetings, a high level of stress self-perception and work overload was identified. There was a good acceptance and enjoyment of the group and, according to the participants’ report, the objectives of stress reduction and mutual support among the participants were achieved. Group activities in this model can contribute to improving the work environment, the health of employees and a better provision of health services.