To burn-out or not to burn-out: a cross-sectional study in healthcare professionals in Spain during COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

ObjectiveTo assess the prevalence of burn-out syndrome in healthcare workers working on the front line (FL) in Spain during COVID-19.DesignCross-sectional, online survey-based study.SettingsSampling was performed between 21st April and 3rd May 2020. The survey collected demographic data and questions regarding participants’ working position since pandemic outbreak.ParticipantsSpanish healthcare workers working on the FL or usual ward were eligible. A total of 674 healthcare professionals answered the survey.Main outcomes and measuresBurn-out syndrome was assessed by the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Medical Personnel.ResultsOf the 643 eligible responding participants, 408 (63.5%) were physicians, 172 (26.8%) were nurses and 63 (9.8%) other technical occupations. 377 (58.6%) worked on the FL. Most participants were women (472 (73.4%)), aged 31–40 years (163 (25.3%)) and worked in tertiary hospitals (>600 beds) (260 (40.4%)). Prevalence of burn-out syndrome was 43.4% (95% CI 39.5% to 47.2%), higher in COVID-19 FL workers (49.6%, p<0.001) than in non- COVID-19 FL workers (34.6%, p<0.001). Women felt more burn-out (60.8%, p=0.016), were more afraid of self-infection (61.9%, p=0.021) and of their performance and quality of care provided to the patients (75.8%, p=0.015) than men. More burn-out were those between 20 and 30 years old (65.2%, p=0.026) and those with more than 15 years of experience (53.7%, p=0.035).Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that, working on COVID-19 FL (OR 1.93; 95% CI 1.37 to 2.71, p<0.001), being a woman (OR 1.56; 95% CI 1.06 to 2.29, p=0.022), being under 30 years old (OR 1.75; 95% CI 1.06 to 2.89, p=0.028) and being a physician (OR 1.64; 95% CI 1.11 to 2.41, p=0.011) were associated with high risk of burn-out syndrome.ConclusionsThis survey study of healthcare professionals reported high rates of burn-out syndrome. Interventions to promote mental well-being in healthcare workers exposed to COVID-19 need to be immediately implemented.

Hopelessness and Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms among Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Any Role for Mediating Variables?

“…No gender and working characteristic' differences were found, contrary to current literature describing differences for frontline nurses in terms of well-being, feelings of burn-out, fear of self-infection, and of their performance and quality of care for the patients [14,24,32,44,45]. Due to the significant increase in working hours and number of COVID-19 patients who need to be assisted, the stressful clinical practice of frontline healthcare workers could have determined frustration, feelings of lower competence, and low-self-esteem directly related to the growing number of deaths during the current pandemic.…”

“…The real traumatic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is quite unknown as it has been investigated only in terms of acute post-traumatic stress manifestations [23]. Several systematic reviews and clinical studies have evaluated post-traumatic stress symptoms in frontline healthcare workers, investigating clinical predictors, risk factors, and psychiatric manifestations [11,14,[24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32]. However, to our knowledge, no studies have reported a potential mediator between hopelessness and post-traumatic stress symptoms.…”

One Year on: An Overview of Singapore’s Response to COVID-19—What We Did, How We Fared, How We Can Move Forward

“…A substantial number of the articles explored in detail how HCWs, patients, and the general community faced challenges such as burnout in particular, as well as explored suitable coping measures. This is consistent with the articles published overseas, which also found significant burnout amongst healthcare workers [504][505][506][507] and adverse psychological effects on the rest of the community [508][509][510][511]. The articles published locally have detailed various responses to this situation, such as a digital MyCare application [417], a psychological preparedness kit for HCWs [409], and peer support services [430], which demonstrate that our community has been able to anticipate and react quickly to the psychological impact of this pandemic.…”

The concerns of oncology professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic: results from the ESMO Resilience Task Force survey II

“…There was even representation across the genders (52% female), as well as young oncologists (43%), current trainees (20%), and those of nonwhite ethnicity (36%), as our previous research and that of other groups have found these groups to be at particularly heightened risk of experiencing burnout. 1,19,20 More than a third of participants were of non-white ethnicity, which is again an important aspect as studies have shown that those of black or minority ethnic backgrounds are at higher risk of complications from COVID-19. 21 A key factor in the well-being of all during these times has been the response of individual nations to this pandemic.…”