Burnout Syndrome in Pediatric Intensive Care Healthcare Workers During COVID-19 Pandemic and After: Have We Made Any Progress?

Background Burnout syndrome, characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment, has been a significant concern among healthcare workers, particularly in high-stress environments like pediatric intensive care units (PICUs). The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these challenges, yet longitudinal data on burnout progression in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) remain scarce. Methods Cross-sectional study with assessment of burnout trends among PICU staff at a Brazilian public hospital during 2020–2023 using the Maslach Burnout Inventory - Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS). Participants were categorized into behavioral profiles (engaged, ineffective, overextended, disengaged, burnout), and demographic and pandemic-related factors were analyzed. Measurements and Main Results: Emotional exhaustion scores increased significantly from 2.47 ± 1.17 in 2020 to 3.33 ± 1.3 in 2023 (*p* = 0.027), while depersonalization rose from 1.13 ± 1.07 to 1.86 ± 0.98 (*p* = 0.014). Personal accomplishment declined from 4.62 ± 0.79 to 4.11 ± 0.84 (*p* = 0.048). The proportion of "overextended" staff surged from 22.5–44%, while "engaged" workers dropped from 45–16%. Financial and media-related stressors were prominent in 2020 but diminished over time. Conclusions The study highlights a worsening burnout crisis among PICU staff in Brazil, with rising emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, alongside declining professional fulfillment. Targeted interventions, including protected break times, peer support networks, and AI-driven early detection, are urgently needed to mitigate burnout and preserve workforce stability in resource-limited settings.