Burnout Among Respiratory Therapists in a Tertiary Hospital in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Respiratory therapists (RTs) provide various types of patient care in different clinical settings. Burnout can have an undesirable effect on RTs and their patients. Managing the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically in hospitals, could induce stress in RTs and increase the likelihood of burnout. Therefore, this study aimed to measure the level of burnout among RTs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: A validated cross-sectional questionnaire was used to identify the prevalence and characteristics of burnout among RTs. The questionnaire was administered by the respiratory care department of a tertiary healthcare center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The data analysis included descriptive, inferential, and correlational tests. Results: The survey was distributed among 100 RTs with a response rate of 66%. Most respondents reported high burnout levels in the three domains of burnout: 77% reported emotional exhaustion, 98% reported depersonalization, and 73% reported low personal achievement. Univariate analysis revealed that emotional exhaustion was significantly higher among RTs who were male, married, or working in critical care settings. Female RTs and those working in general care settings reported feelings of reduced personal achievement. Furthermore, the analysis revealed a moderate positive correlation between the years of experience and emotional exhaustion (r=0.6, p<0.001). Conclusions: A high prevalence of burnout was observed among RTs in one Saudi tertiary hospital. Burnout is associated with several factors, and interventions should target all domains of burnout. RT management and staff are responsible for addressing their needs and collaboratively working together to overcome burnout. Further investigations focusing on techniques and strategies to alleviate burnout are required.

Burnout and Resilience among Respiratory Therapy (RT) Students during Clinical Training in Saudi Arabia: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study

“…Using the sum method to calculate burnout prevalence, a total of 95% of RT students and interns experienced moderate to high burnout levels. As for the burnout subscales (EE, DP, and PA), participants had mean (SD) scores of 27 for EE (10), 11.7 for DP (7), and 31 for PA (8). In addition, 52% of the RT students and interns were emotionally exhausted, 59% indicated a high level of depersonalization, and 55% indicated a low level of personal accomplishment, as shown in Table 2.…”

“…Recently, 79% of respiratory therapists reported burnout in a survey among 1114 respiratory therapists from 26 medical centers in the United States [ 6 ], mainly due to high patient morbidity and mortality as well as heavy workloads in the critical care units [ 6 ]. A recent cross-sectional study conducted in a tertiary hospital in Saudi Arabia also reported high levels of the three domains of burnout among RTs: 77% with emotional exhaustion, 98% with depersonalization, and 73% with low personal achievement [ 7 ].…”

The prevalence of burnout among pulmonologists or respiratory therapists pre- and post-COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Eight studies reported the risk factors of burnout [ 20 , 23–26 , 30 , 31 , 33 ]. Female pulmonologists or respiratory therapists tended to experience more burnout than their male counterparts [ 20 , 23 , 26 ].…”

“…Eight studies reported the risk factors of burnout [ 20 , 23–26 , 30 , 31 , 33 ]. Female pulmonologists or respiratory therapists tended to experience more burnout than their male counterparts [ 20 , 23 , 26 ]. In two studies, a heavier weekly workload was reported to exacerbate burnout [ 24 , 26 ], while another study presented that the weekly workload was not significantly associated with burnout [ 20 ].…”

Burnout, Resilience, Supervisory Support, and Quitting Intention among Healthcare Professionals in Saudi Arabia: A National Cross-Sectional Survey

“…For instance, a previous cross-sectional study conducted in the Southern region of Saudi Arabia, which included 95 physicians and 187 nurses working in different emergency departments, indicated that 88% of HCPs experienced emotional exhaustion. Another study, which included 66 respiratory therapists (RTs) working in a main tertiary hospital in the capital of Saudi Arabia, revealed that RTs experienced a significant level of burnout across the three dimensions: 77% with EE, 98% with DP, and 73% with low PA [8]. The exact cause of increased burnout is unknown, but factors such as years of experience, working in critical settings, staff shortage, and management support have been suggested.…”