The role of the regulatory framework in the prevention of professional (emotional) burnout of medical workers

Burnout syndrome is one of the most pressing challenges in healthcare, directly affecting the efficiency of medical personnel and the quality of care. In the search for effective prevention mechanisms, the level of awareness among healthcare professionals regarding the regulatory framework governing their psycho-emotional well-being is of particular importance. The aim of this study was to assess the level of regulatory awareness among medical workers, explore the sources of knowledge, and analyze barriers to the practical use of burnout-related normative documents. A total of 221 responses were collected through an online survey. A Regulatory Awareness Index (RAI) was calculated, and statistical analysis was performed to determine correlations between the RAI and respondents’ socio-professional characteristics. RAI is expressed in points or as a percentage of the maximum possible level of knowledge. The results revealed a high degree of heterogeneity in knowledge levels, low practical application of regulatory documents, and insufficient participation in official educational activities. A statistically significant relationship was found between the RAI and job position, as well as work experience. Doctors and specialists with more than 20 years of experience demonstrated a higher level of awareness, which is confirmed by statistically significant differences in position (F=12.54; p<0.001) and seniority (F=7.89; p=0.002), which corresponds to the purpose of the study to identify the influence of occupational factors. A critical deficit of regulatory awareness was identified (72.6% in total). The influence of professional status and length of service on RAI has been confirmed (p<0.01). A systemic problem of inefficient use of standards (<20% of application) has been established. The dominance of informal sources of information was revealed (78.3% from the Internet). The study highlights the need for a systemic review and wider dissemination of regulatory tools as part of professional burnout prevention strategies. Keywords: burnout syndrome, sociological research, awareness.