The COPE Staff study: Study description and initial report regarding job satisfaction, work‐life conflicts, stress, and burnout among Swedish maternal and neonatal healthcare workers during the COVID‐19 pandemic

Abstract

ObjectiveTo describe the study design of the COPE Staff cohort study on working conditions for maternal and neonatal healthcare workers (MNHCWs), and present baseline data regarding job satisfaction, work‐life conflicts, stress, and burnout.MethodsBetween January and April 2021, 957 MNHCWs (administrative and medical staff) completed a baseline survey. Average levels of job satisfaction, work‐life conflicts, stress, and burnout, and associations to perceived workload were assessed.ResultsThe average levels of job satisfaction, work‐life conflicts, stress, and burnout were 68.6 (95% confidence interval [CI] 64.3–72.8), 42.6 (95% CI 37.3–48.0), 42.0 (95% CI 37.7–46.3), and 1.9 (95% CI 1.6–2.2), respectively. The respondents scoring above critical values indicating clinical burnout ranged between 3% and 18%, respectively, for the four burnout sub‐dimensions. Women reported significantly higher levels of stress and burnout. Younger participants had lower job satisfaction and higher levels of work‐life conflicts, stress, and burnout. Higher perceived workload was significantly associated with lower job satisfaction levels and higher levels of work‐life conflicts, stress, and burnout.ConclusionsOur results indicate associations between MNHCWs perceived workload and job satisfaction, work‐life conflicts, stress, and burnout during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Eighteen percent scored above critical values for exhaustion.

Stress, Burnout, and General Mental Health among Healthcare Workers in Poland during the Long-Lasting COVID-19 Pandemic

“…In terms of burnout symptoms, medics primarily experience a psychophysical exhaustion at work, a deterioration in relations with the patient, and a lack of effectiveness, consistent with a study carried out in Italy [57]. Other studies also indicate that the most frequently experienced symptom of burnout is exhaustion [33]; yet, in the study conducted in 2018 among Polish nurses, the lack of involvement in relations with the patients showed the greatest increase, among burnout symptoms, while disappointment rated the lowest [58].…”

“…Numerous studies indicate that the outbreak of pandemics (e.g., SARS and MERS) exacerbates pre-existing mental health problems, both among healthcare workers [32][33][34] and the general population [35,36]. In this study, there were no significant differences between the different groups of healthcare professionals in terms of the perceived stress levels, burnout levels, and overall mental health.…”

“…The level of burnout is currently higher than before the pandemic [33]. In this study, 9.6% of the participants obtained high scores on the burnout scale, while 74.9% obtained results indicating already existing problems, including 21.5% at a very high risk of burnout.…”

Small Patients but a Heavy Lift

“…Another study of US registered nurses and advanced practice nurses also found that 62% of participants experienced increased workload during the pandemic, and 45% reported feeling burned out frequently, some as often as every day 5. The COPE Staff study of Swedish maternal and neonatal healthcare workers, also conducted during the pandemic, reported significant associations between high workload and burnout, work-life conflicts, and stress 4. The COPE study used a 23-item burnout questionnaire with subcategories of exhaustion, mental distance, cognitive impairment, and emotional impairment.…”

“…There is growing evidence that work-related stress is associated with poorer health outcomes, such as increased rates of cardiovascular disease 1,2. The increased workload and stress related to the coronavirus pandemic profoundly affected healthcare workers mental well-being 3–6. Increased workload by healthcare workers also predicts burnout and intent to leave the workforce 7.…”