Healthcare professionals in Portugal face burnout and retention challenges

Recent studies in Portugal highlight significant labor and mental health challenges within the healthcare sector. Research from the University of Coimbra indicates that over 40% of medical residents experience burnout. This condition is particularly prevalent during residency, as these professionals manage a high volume of emergency services, hospitalizations, and initial patient observations.

The study suggests a link between burnout and medical errors, noting that exhaustion can lead to a reduction in empathy and a sense of detachment from patients. To address this, the RESOUT project is developing a mobile application using algorithms to identify individual risk profiles based on psychological and behavioral data.

Simultaneously, a study involving over 1,000 nurses across 29 public and private hospital organizations in Portugal reveals difficulties in attracting and retaining nursing staff. While leadership competencies were rated positively, organizational practices regarding professional valuation, development opportunities, and working conditions received less favorable assessments.