Abstract
This review article aims to analyze the impact of work-related stress on healthcare professionals during health crises, comparing different contexts and periods, with an emphasis on the COVID-19 pandemic. The PRISMA methodology was used for the systematic literature review, covering scientific articles published between 2003 and 2023 in databases such as Scopus, PubMed, SciELO, and Web of Science. A total of 25 studies were selected based on inclusion criteria and methodological quality. The analytical categories included: work-related stressors, psychological and emotional consequences, coping strategies, and institutional support measures. The findings reveal that healthcare professionals face high levels of anxiety, emotional exhaustion, and burnout syndrome during health crises, particularly in the presence of work overload, resource scarcity, and lack of organizational support. Significant differences were also identified in the impact of stress according to the type of healthcare system, gender, and medical specialty. It is concluded that the design of public policies and organizational strategies focused on mental health is crucial to mitigating the effects of work-related stress in this key group for health crisis response.