Burnout on the frontline: the impact of COVID-19 on emergency department staff wellbeing

Abstract

Background Burnout is a syndrome resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. Healthcare professionals are particularly susceptible to this occupational phenomenon. There is limited literature currently published addressing burnout in the context of the Irish frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Objectives Our study aims to determine the rate and degree of burnout present in the emergency department (ED) staff at St. James hospital Dublin (SJH) and at Cork University Hospital (CUH), in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Design A cross-sectional study was performed on a convenience sample of medical staff and healthcare staff in the ED at Cork University Hospital and St. James Hospital Dublin, two major University Hospital EDs. Burnout was measured using the Oldenburg burnout inventory (OLBI) a standardised 16-question instrument. Participants also provided demographic data and answered several questions relating to the pandemic. Participants Ninety-nine participants across two departments responded (a response rate of 30%). All ED cohorts were represented. Results Burnout was identified in almost three quarters of respondents (74%). The mean burnout scores were 2.42 (OLBI cut-off 2.18). There was mean disengagement level of 2.25 and a mean exhaustion level of 2.59. There was no statistically significant variance between staff, by demographics (i.e. occupation, years working in the ED, age, or gender). There was no significant difference in burnout rates or scores between St. James Hospital, Dublin, and Cork University Hospital, though the former tended to have a higher rate of burnout at 81% vs the 67% burnout observed in CUH. Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic may be contributing to the long-established problem of health care burnout. The trajectory of this disease is still unclear. Consistent, progressive measures to address staff well-being, and support frontline workers, are imperative going forward.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) excess mortality outcomes associated with pandemic effects study (COPES): A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…The continued pandemic has had profound effects on the health of non-COVID-19 patients (7, 71), as pandemic patients have utilized resources, caused invoking of pandemic control measures, and disrupted care throughout the entire healthcare system (7). Furthermore, there are likely lasting impacts on our healthcare system (72,73), and on those who have valiantly served during the pandemic, including mental health effects for patients and healthcare workers (72,74,75). There are high reported rates of burnout from the COVID-19 pandemic (74), particularly in frontline workers (75), which has led to attrition and further exacerbated staffing shortages (76), from which the healthcare system may never fully recover.…”

Relationships Between Mental Health, Emotion Regulation, and Meaning in Life of Frontline Nurses During the COVID-19 Outbreak

“…Health care workers faced increased stress, heavy workloads, longer working hours, and insufficient sleep, which were sufficient evidence of burnout ( 15 ). A study of burnout among frontline staff in emergency departments at two of Ireland's largest hospitals during COVID-19 found that nearly three quarters (74%) of staff suffered burnout ( 16 ). A large study in the United Kingdom found a significant increase in the prevalence of burnout among healthcare personnel in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, with burnout rates at 79% ( 17 ).…”

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“…They observe that improving job content and organisational characteristics may be the key to reducing PHPs' Burnout. Sheehan et al. (2021) aimed to determine the rate and degree of Burnout among emergency department (ED) staff at St. James hospital Dublin (SJH) and Cork University Hospital (CUH), in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

“…They observe that improving job content and organisational characteristics may be the key to reducing PHPs' Burnout. Sheehan et al (2021) aimed to determine the rate and degree of Burnout among emergency department (ED) staff at St. James hospital Dublin (SJH) and Cork University Hospital (CUH), in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a cross-sectional study of a convenience sample of medical and health care staff in the ED at Cork University Hospital and St. James Hospital Dublin, two leading university hospital EDs, and measuring Burnout through the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI) a standardised 16-question instrument, they find that the COVID-19 pandemic may contribute to the long-established problem of health care burnout.…”