Sari-Nieves et al. (2026)
Abstract
Introduction: Burnout syndrome is a major occupational health problem in nursing, particularly in
adult intensive care units (ICUs), where clinical complexity, sustained workload, moral distress,
and exposure to human suffering converge. Although burnout remains under conceptual debate,
its clinical and organizational impact is widely recognized [1,2,3]. Objective: To analyze the coping
strategies used by adult ICU nursing staff and to examine the scientific evidence on their
effectiveness against burnout syndrome. Methods: Systematic literature review, partially following
PRISMA 2020 guidelines [4]. Searches were conducted in PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, Web of
Science, and SciELO between December 2025 and January 2026. Quantitative, qualitative, and
mixed-methods studies published in English, Spanish, or Portuguese during the previous five
years were included when focused on adult ICU nurses, burnout, and coping strategies. Results:
Of 1091 identified records, 24 studies met the eligibility criteria. The evidence showed a high
prevalence of burnout, especially in emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. Institutional
strategies predominated, particularly improvement of the work environment, adequate staffing
and nurse–patient ratio, effective leadership, and institutional psychosocial support. The most
frequently reported individual strategies were resilience, emotional regulation, active coping, self-
care, physical activity, and social support. Individual interventions showed benefit, although with
lower sustainability when applied in isolation. Conclusions: Burnout in adult ICU nursing is a
persistent and multifactorial phenomenon. The reviewed evidence supports a multicomponent
approach that prioritizes organizational change while strengthening personal resources. Evidence
gaps remain in Latin America, particularly in Ecuador.
Keywords: coping strategies; intensive care; nursing; occupational health; burnout syndrome.
reconocido como un fenómeno
1. Introducción
asociado al trabajo que emerge
frente al estrés crónico no
gestionado de manera eficaz [1]. A
nivel teórico, su estudio ha
El personal de enfermería que labora
en unidades de cuidados intensivos
de adultos desarrolla su práctica en
uno de los entornos hospitalarios de
mayor exigencia clínica, técnica y
emocional. La atención continua al
paciente crítico, la necesidad de
evolucionado
comprensión
hacia una
multidimensional,
centrada en agotamiento emocional,
despersonalización y disminución de
la realización profesional [2,3].
monitorización
permanente,
la
presión por tomar decisiones
oportunas y la exposición frecuente
al deterioro, la incertidumbre y la
muerte convierten a la UCI en un
La literatura reciente ha mostrado
que la enfermería constituye uno de
los grupos profesionales más
expuestos a burnout, depresión
asociada al trabajo y deterioro de la
calidad de vida [5,6]. En el caso
específico de la UCI de adultos, una
revisión sistemática y metaanálisis
escenario
vulnerable
particularmente
el desgaste
para
profesional. En este contexto, el
síndrome de burnout ha sido