Health care worker burnout after the first wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Japan

Abstract

Objectives To determine the prevalence of burnout according to job category after the first wave of COVID‐19 in Japan and to explore its association with certain factors. Methods An online cross‐sectional survey of health care workers (HCWs) from June 15 to July 6, 2020, was conducted at a tertiary hospital in Tokyo, Japan. Demographic characteristics, results of the Japanese version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory‐General Survey, types of anxiety and stress, changes in life and work after the peak of the pandemic, and types of support aimed at reducing the physical or mental burden, were determined. Results Of 672 HCWs, 149 (22.6%) met the overall burnout criteria. Burnout was more prevalent in women (OR, 3.11; 95% CI, 1.45‐6.67, P = .003), anxiety due to unfamiliarity with personal protective equipment (PPE) (OR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.20‐3.27, P = .007), and decreased sleep duration (OR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.20‐3.20, P = .008). Conversely, participants who felt that the delivery of COVID‐19‐related information (OR, .608; 95% CI, .371‐.996, P = .048) and PPE education opportunities (OR, .484; 95% CI, .236‐.993, P = .048) and messages of encouragement at the workplace (OR, .584; 95% CI, .352‐.969; p = .037) was helpful experienced less burnout. Conclusions There is a need to focus on the above factors to maintain the mental health of HCWs. The delivery of COVID‐19‐related information and educational interventions for PPE and messages of encouragement at the workplace may be needed to reduce the mental burden.

Association between mental health and duty hours of postgraduate residents in Japan: a nationwide cross-sectional study

“…During this pandemic, clinicians, including residents, were subjected to considerable psychological stress, which led to depression and burnout 28 . In a study of Japanese healthcare workers, younger age and fewer years of experience were associated with increased burnout, which may have influenced the results of this study 29 . On the other hand, some studies have reported that the pandemic did not necessarily increase working hours but led to a decrease in working hours 30 .…”

The Psychological Impact and Influencing Factors during Different Waves of COVID-19 Pandemic on Healthcare Workers in Central Taiwan

“…It is well-known that psychological problems in HCW during a pandemic are multifactorial: some factors are intrinsic to HCW, such as, for example, gender, occupation, education level, position, seniority, [ 2 , 3 , 6 , 7 ], frontline HCW [ 8 ], marital status/living conditions [ 9 ], use of tobacco/alcohol [ 10 , 11 ], and if they ever have any chronic disease or mental disease [ 7 ]. Other factors are extrinsic to HCW, such as work loading and shift changes [ 1 , 2 , 12 ], availability of personal protection equipment (PPE) and/or medical resources [ 6 , 13 ], risk of infection [ 1 , 2 , 3 ], workplace relationships between leaders and co-workers [ 7 ], social pressure and stigmatization [ 14 ], family support [ 9 ], and transparency/accuracy of public health policy and information from governments and hospitals [ 15 , 16 ].…”

Nationwide Deployment of a Serious Game Designed to Improve COVID-19 Infection Prevention Practices in Switzerland: Prospective Web-Based Study

“…Viral dissemination may even be facilitated, if normal social interactions are restored and social distancing measures are eliminated, as countries face ever increasing social and economic pressures [ 10 - 12 ]. Moreover, many people experience a rather intense state of tiredness [ 13 - 15 ] coupled with a rather high degree of mistrust toward public health authorities [ 2 , 16 - 18 ], which can result in a rapidly progressive slackening of infection prevention and control procedures [ 19 - 21 ] and which may even affect health care workers [ 22 ]. Switzerland is no exception, and conspiracy theories also thrive in this country [ 23 ].…”