Neoliberalism, social injustice, and their Relationship with the emergence of burnout syndrome in physicians: A bioethical reflection

Abstract

From the very beginning, human beings have operated in two dimensions: the ability to transform the world (technology) and the sense of respect and justice (ethics). With the advent of the Industrial Revolution, the development of capitalism, and the paradigm of modernity, the desire for power and wealth has prevailed, turning the tools used for work into dominant and harmful forces with severe consequences for humanity. The neoliberal model, which reduces state involvement and promotes the privatization of healthcare systems, has brought consequences for service providers due to work overload, reduced consultation times, limited resources, job insecurity, and the pressure exerted on them. These factors may be linked to the emergence of health conditions such as burnout syndrome. The objective of this document is to examine the relationship between neoliberalism and social injustice in connection with the emergence of burnout syndrome among physicians and to explore how bioethics reflects on these issues. It concludes that bioethics is called upon to restore the ethical dimension of medicine, guiding professional practice toward justice and respect for human dignity, while promoting the development of public policies that ensure fair and dignified working conditions for physicians.