Beyond the Pandemic: Longitudinal Lessons on Social Support, Sleep Quality, and Burnout Among Healthcare Workers.

OBJECTIVES: To assess occupational burnout (OB) changes among Brazilian healthcare workers (HCWs) from COVID-19 onset to six months later (T1) and identify risk and protective factors.

METHODS: Using the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory and hierarchical multivariate linear regression in a two-stage online survey (initial n = 1,054; T1 n = 316), this study examined the impact of various factors on OB.

RESULTS: Significant increases in personal and work-related OB were observed by T1. Psychiatric diagnosis and workload emerged as risk factors (p < 0.01), while having a partner, good family relations, workplace well-being, and adequate sleep were protective (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: OB levels among Brazilian HCWs increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Interventions should target personal and organizational wellness to alleviate burnout, emphasizing the importance of strong relationships, workplace health, and good sleep practices.