Burnout and job satisfaction of healthcare workers in Slovenian nursing homes in rural areas during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Introduction and objective. Since there is no study on burnout and job satisfaction in Slovenian nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, this study aims to analyse job satisfaction and burnout levels of healthcare professionals working in Slovenian nursing homes in rural areas during the COVID-19 pandemic, and make a comparison with the results of the same services in 2013. Materials and method. The study is based on a cross-organisational and descriptive quantitative study conducted in spring 2013 (n = 556) and spring 2020 at the peak of the pandemic in Eastern Europe (n = 781) to identify the relationships and the changes in the satisfaction and burnout levels of healthcare professionals working in Slovenian nursing homes in rural areas, and on a qualitative study conducted in 2020, to identify in-depth relationships and changes in both studies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results. An increase in burnout syndromes between 2013-2020 was observed. The respondents experienced intensified emotional exhaustion and lack of personal accomplishment during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, depersonalisation did not differ statistically over the years. During the pandemic crisis, healthcare workers were less satisfied with their job than in spring 2013. Their job satisfaction was related to satisfaction with the work of nursing homes and with the work of state institutions and politicians who directly affected their working conditions and recognition in society. Conclusions. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly exacerbated already existing burnout syndromes of nursing homes healthcare workers in Slovenian rural areas. Job satisfaction proved to be a relevant predictor of burnout syndrome. A negative correlation was observed between job satisfaction in 2020 and emotional exhaustion and personal accomplishment in 2013 and 2020.

Fear, Psychosomatic Symptoms and Satisfaction of Primary Healthcare Workers during the First Wave of COVID-19 Pandemic in Rivers State Nigeria: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

“…Regarding the satisfaction of PHCWs during the first wave of COVID-19, most of the respondents were not satisfied with their capacity for work, means of transport and money to meet their daily needs. Our findings agreed with studies in the past on satisfaction of healthcare workers which revealed there was a low level of satisfaction among these workers [19,20]. This could be as a result of the lockdown and the harassment of the people including the healthcare workers though to a lesser extent by the security operatives.…”

Long-Term Care Facilities and Nursing Homes during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review of the Perspectives of Professionals, Families and Residents

“…Of the 16 studies included, 2 were conducted in the USA [ 32 , 33 ], 3 in the United Kingdom [ 34 , 35 , 36 ], 1 in Australia [ 37 ], 1 in Germany [ 38 ], 1 in Canada [ 39 ], 1 in Sweden [ 40 ], 1 in Spain [ 41 ], 3 in the Netherlands [ 42 , 43 , 44 ], 1 in Slovenia [ 45 ], 1 in Malaysia [ 46 ], and 1 in several Latin American (Peru, Mexico) and European (Spain and Italy) countries [ 47 ]. Fifteen were in English and only one was in Spanish [ 41 ].…”

“…With regard to methodology, the 16 studies included 5 mixed methods studies [ 38 , 39 , 42 , 43 , 45 ], 7 qualitative studies [ 32 , 34 , 35 , 37 , 41 , 46 , 47 ], 1 short report [ 36 ], 1 rapid scoping review [ 44 ], and 2 studies using another approach such as a letter or report containing a first-hand testimony [ 33 , 40 ].…”

Nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic: a scoping review of challenges and responses

“…In turn, the need for positive staff to self-isolate contributed to a 'perfect storm' of understaffing at many facilities [28]. Reports suggested that there was a greater probability of having COVID-19 resident infections in nursing homes where registered nurse levels were under the recommended minimum [20,29,30]. To emphasise the significance of this problem, a study suggested that a 20-min increase in registered staffing was associated with a 22% reduction in COVID-19 cases and 26% fewer COVID-19 deaths [31].…”