RESILIENCE OF MEDICAL WORKERS IN THE PROCESS OF MEDICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL REHABILITATION: CHALLENGES OF WAR TIME

Abstract

The article examines the professional resilience of medical workers involved in the medical and psychological rehabilitation of military personnel and patients with visual impairments during a prolonged military conflict. Medical staff operating under such conditions are exposed to constant psycho-emotional stress, secondary traumatization, and high professional demands, which increase the risk of burnout, emotional exhaustion, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).A review of scientific research indicates that the resilience of healthcare professionals depends not only on individual psychological resources but also on systemic institutional support within healthcare organizations (Malovana, 2022). Harbuzova et al. (2024) identified increased levels of secondary traumatic stress and reduced quality of life among medical staff assisting military personnel. Similar findings were reported by Ohorenko and Shornikov (2024), who revealed elevated levels of anxiety and depression among junior medical personnel working in wartime conditions. Chorna and colleagues (2022) highlighted the prevalence of professional and emotional stress, cognitive impairments, and burnout among Ukrainian medical workers. Psychophysiological indicators – such as endurance, fatigue, and activation levels – also determine stress resistance among professionals working under intense workloads. International studies confirm that working with visually impaired patients requires advanced communication skills, spatial verbalization, and empathetic behavior, which further influence healthcare workers’ stress levels (Court et al., 2019).The purpose of the study was to assess the levels and components of professional resilience – including professional engagement, control, challenge acceptance, and emotional, motivational, social, and professional aspects – among medical workers. The research sample included 75 respondents aged 19–58 years (30.7% men and 69.3% women). The survey was conducted online using O. Kokun’s Professional Resilience Questionnaire, and data analysis was performed in Microsoft Excel. The results revealed that 49.4% of respondents demonstrated low or below-average resilience levels, while only 14.6% showed high resilience. Job satisfaction analysis indicated that only 13.3% of participants consistently felt satisfaction with their work, and 6.7% reported regular engagement with meaningful or stimulating tasks. Lower resilience was more common among workers with 1–3 years of experience, whereas higher levels were observed among more experienced professionals. The findings indicate a clear relationship between resilience level, professional experience, and the use of adaptive coping strategies.The study concludes that professional resilience represents a key psychological resource for maintaining mental health, ensuring effective professional functioning, and adapting to stressful environments.The results substantiate the need for structured psychological support systems, burnout prevention programs, and the development of individual resilience among healthcare professionals. The research contributes to understanding the dynamics of professional resilience in high-stress contexts and provides evidence-based recommendations for improving human resource management and professional development in the healthcare sector.