Burnout among Portuguese healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background: During COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers (HCWs) have had high workload and have been exposed to multiple psychosocial stressors. The aim of this study was to evaluate HCWs in terms of the relative contributions of socio-demographic and mental health variables on three burnout dimensions: personal, work-related, and client-related burnout.Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed using an online questionnaire spread via social networks. A snowball technique supported by health care institutions and professional organizations was applied. Results: A total of 2008 subjects completed the survey. Gender, parental status, marriage status, and salary reduction were found to be significant factors for personal burnout. Health problems and direct contact with infected people were significantly associated with more susceptibility to high personal and work-related burnout. Frontline working positions were associated with all three dimensions. Higher levels of stress and depression in HCWs were significantly associated with increased levels of all burnout dimensions. Higher levels of satisfaction with life and resilience were significantly associated with lower levels of all burnout dimensions. Conclusions: All three burnout dimensions were associated with a specific set of covariates. Consideration of these three dimensions is important when designing future burnout prevention programs for HCWs.

Burnout Determinants among Nurses Working in Palliative Care during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic

“…Some nurses in this study were also shifted to COVID-19 units, which could have also had an impact on the results of our investigation ( n = 22, 14.4%) [ 31 ]. In fact, the levels of burnout in this study were similar to other studies that tried to assess the impact of COVID-19 on burnout among healthcare workers worldwide [ 32 ]. Our study suggests that there is a large size association between allocation to COVID-19 units and the burnout levels ( Table 2 ) but this overall association can be related to different variables that were not evaluated in our study like depression [ 33 ], resilience [ 33 ], stress [ 32 ], existence of previous psychological problems [ 34 ] or had a traumatic event in relation with COVID-19 like previous infection [ 34 ].…”

“…In fact, the levels of burnout in this study were similar to other studies that tried to assess the impact of COVID-19 on burnout among healthcare workers worldwide [ 32 ]. Our study suggests that there is a large size association between allocation to COVID-19 units and the burnout levels ( Table 2 ) but this overall association can be related to different variables that were not evaluated in our study like depression [ 33 ], resilience [ 33 ], stress [ 32 ], existence of previous psychological problems [ 34 ] or had a traumatic event in relation with COVID-19 like previous infection [ 34 ]. World Health Organization defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” [ 35 ].…”

“…Hence, it is mandatory to offer healthcare professionals’ answers and measures that promote their wellbeing and mental health in the following months [ 36 ]. The high levels of burnout in this study were according to the results of other studies in the literature that also presented high levels of burnout [ 28 , 32 , 37 ]. However, it is important to highlight that there are few studies in the literature related to burnout among nurses in PC and most of them used the Maslach Burnout Inventory, making it more difficult to compare the results.…”

Risk of Burnout in Front-Line Health Care Workers When Combating Covid-19: A Prospective Cross-Sectional Study

“…H al this can lead to a problem where on one hand the participants' PPDS is still in the process of learning, so that mistakes and incompetence became things that should be tolerated. But, unlike the case of the task in the provision of services where such activities are required to not make errors in service efforts (Duarte et al, 2020).…”

“…The inability of a doctor in charge to act according to internal and external values is also associated with the incidence of burnout. The importance of demonstrating healthy and positive collaboration can reduce the incidence of burnout (Duarte et al, 2020).…”