Burnout of Healthcare Workers Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Follow-Up Study

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has posed a significant challenge to the modern healthcare system and led to increased burnout among healthcare workers (HCWs). We previously reported that HCWs who engaged in COVID-19 patient care had a significantly higher prevalence of burnout (50.0%) than those who did not in November 2020 (period 1). We performed follow-up surveys in HCWs in a Japanese national university hospital, including basic demographics, whether a participant engaged in care of COVID-19 patients in the past 2 weeks, and the Maslach Burnout Inventory in February 2021 (period 2) and May 2021 (period 3). Periods 1 and 3 were amid the surges of COVID-19 cases, and period 2 was a post-surge period with a comparatively small number of COVID-19 patients requiring hospitalization. Response rates to the surveys were 33/130 (25.4%) in period 1, 36/130 (27.7%) in period 2, and 56/162 (34.6%) in period 3, respectively. While no consistent tendency in the prevalence of burnout based on variables was observed throughout the periods, the prevalence of burnout tends to be higher in periods 1 and 3 in those who engaged in COVID-19 patient care in the last 2 weeks (50.0%, 30.8%, 43.1% in period 1, 2, and 3, respectively). Given the prolonged pandemic causing stigmatization and hatred against HCWs leading to increased prevalence of burnout, high-level interventions and supports are warranted.

Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Healthcare Providers: Policy Implications for Pandemic Recovery

“…Participants in this study revealed high levels of occupational fatigue, poor inter-shift recovery and loneliness while at work. There is evidence validating the cumulative negative impact from the subsequent waves of the pandemic as well ( Nishimura et al 2021a , 2021b ; Tan et al 2020 ), which align with our findings. Additionally, participants in the study explained how the lack of social interaction with colleagues made work feel more arduous and lonelier.…”

“…Studies that explored HCPs during the second and third waves reveal no abatement of psychological burden or burnout in HCPs ( Gonçalves et al 2021 ; Nishimura et al 2021a , 2021b ; Tan et al 2020 ). There is growing concern that the protracted crisis may cause lasting harm to HCPs and the health system ( Greenberg and Raferty 2021 ; Lorente et al 2021 ).…”

Moral distress amongst palliative care doctors working during the COVID-19 pandemic: A narrative-focussed interview study

“…There was a large spectrum of coping, with some participants remaining relatively unaffected while others were undoubtedly struggling. Previous studies have noted decreasing morale, adverse mental health consequences, and individual differences in coping in healthcare staff globally during the pandemic, 3 , 33 , 34 indicating these findings are not unique to palliative care in Scotland. Vulnerability is an important point here and is considered part of the human condition, yet as Kottow 35 argues may be better replaced with the term susceptibility.…”

Pesquisa e Extensão: Abordagem Interdisciplinar

“…Nesse contexto, o estresse e a SB tornaram-se ainda mais pronunciados nos profissionais de saúde que estão atuando na linha de frente da batalha contra o avanço da Covid-19, por estar diretamente ligados aos diferentes estressores ocupacionais. Dentre os estressores identificados por pesquisadores, podemos-se citar as longas jornadas de trabalho, a falta de profissionais ou pessoas capacitadas, a falta de reconhecimento profissional, a exposição do profissional a riscos químicos e físicos, assim como o contato constante com o sofrimento, a dor e a morte (BRERA et al, 2021;KANNAMPALLIL et al, 2020;NISHIMURA et al, 2021).…”