BURNOUT IN HEALTHCARE AFTER THE PANDEMIC: PSYCHOEDUCATION AND DESTIGMATISATION AS KEYS TO PREVENTION

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has raised the psychological stress experienced by healthcare workers worldwide to historic levels. Nurses, doctors and therapists were confronted not only with an unprecedented workload during the pandemic, but also with moral dilemmas, isolation, a lack of psychosocial support and ongoing uncertainty. Studies from various countries show a significant increase in burnout symptoms, especially in high-stress care areas such as emergency rooms, intensive care units and nursing homes (García et al., 2021; Khasne et al., 2020; Mo et al., 2020). Existing deficits in healthcare systems became particularly apparent. The crisis revealed massive weaknesses in institutional prevention and highlighted structural deficiencies – such as inadequate psychosocial support services, poor communication at management level and a strong stigma surrounding mental health issues. The long-term effects of these developments not only affect individual well-being, but also jeopardise the quality of care and staff stability in the healthcare system (Friedrich et al., 2022; Rotenstein et al., 2018). The aim of this article is to highlight the effectiveness of two key prevention factors based on a systematic review of current research findings: psychoeducation and destigmatisation. Psychoeducation has been shown to improve mental health literacy, support the early detection of burnout symptoms and strengthen individual coping skills (Wei et al., 2020; Yamaguchi et al., 2019). Destigmatisation, in turn, is essential for breaking down structural barriers to help services and overcoming cultural expectations of excessive demands, silence and perceived weakness (Knaak et al., 2017; Stuart, 2016). The article discusses international examples of good practice (including from Norway, Canada and the United Kingdom) as well as empirical studies on the influence of organisational culture on the mental well-being of professionals. In addition, it analyses the political and institutional framework conditions that enable the sustainable and ly anchoring of preventive measures in the healthcare system. In addition to international findings, the article incorporates a longitudinal study conducted in German-speaking countries by Gaul (2024), which highlights specific developments in burnout symptoms in the post-pandemic context. The study reveals persistent stress, particularly among nursing staff and medical personnel, and underscores the urgency of structured, scientifically based preventive measures. The article thus makes a practice-oriented, evidence-based and policy-relevant contribution to promoting the mental health of healthcare workers and shows how psychoeducational and destigmatising measures can be effectively integrated into training and continuing education, occupational health management and leadership structures.