Prevalence of burnout and mental health problems among medical staff during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

ObjectiveThe COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the burnout and mental health of medical staff. This meta-analysis aims to provide additional (and updated) evidence related to burnout and mental health problems among medical staff using a broader data pool.DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis.Data sourcesPubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang data and three preprint databases (SSRN, bioRxiv and medRxiv) were searched from 1 January 2020 to 17 May 2021.Eligibility criteriaWe included observational studies investigating the prevalence of burnout and mental health problems among medical staff during the COVID-19 pandemic, including cross-sectional study, cohort study and case–control study.Data extraction and synthesisTwo independent reviewers used a self-designed form to extract the primary data. The Joanna Briggs Institute quality appraisal tool was used to assess the quality of selected studies. Heterogeneity among studies was assessed by I2statistic. A random-effects model was used to pool the prevalence. Subgroup analysis was performed to explore between-group differences.Results250 studies were included, with a sample of 292 230 participants from 46 countries. The pooled prevalence of burnout, anxiety, depression, insomnia, stress, post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and somatic symptoms was 43.6% (95% CI 36.3% to 51.2%), 37.1% (95% CI 34.7% to 39.7%), 37.6% (95% CI 35.0% to 40.4%), 43.7% (95% CI 39.1% to 48.5%), 41.3% (95% CI 35.1% to 47.9%), 30.6% (95% CI 23.6% to 38.5%) and 25.0% (95% CI 16.7% to 35.6%), respectively. Subgroup analysis showed a higher prevalence of anxiety, depression and insomnia in frontline workers than in non-frontline workers, and a higher prevalence of anxiety in females than males. Mild cases accounted for the most significant proportion of the outcomes except for stress.ConclusionsThis study highlights that identifying the risks of burnout and mental health problems and adopting preventive interventions are priorities for policymakers and medical staff to avoid long-term occupational, health and social impacts.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42021254425.

Prevalence and associated factors of work impairment among geriatricians during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Japan

“…Although the prevalence of work impairment depends on the category of occupation and other factors, such as workers' comorbidities, it was generally in the range of 20–40% in studies reported before the COVID‐19 pandemic, 21,27,28 which is consistent with the prevalence of 24.8% in the present study. Regarding psychological distress, the prevalence reported in this study, 15.2%, appears to be lower than that reported in previous studies carried out during the COVID‐19 pandemic, although a direct comparison is difficult because of the differences in the study design, target population and assessment methods 1–3 . The analytic sample in the present study was limited to doctors; however, doctors might be less susceptible to psychological distress than other healthcare workers 29–31 .…”

“…[29][30][31] In addition, the doctors in this study were not necessarily involved in the direct care of COVID-19 patients; this might have made the prevalence of psychological distress lower, because directly engaging in COVID-19 care has been associated with a higher prevalence of depression among healthcare workers. 3 Considering that the prevalence of work impairment and psychological distress observed in this study were not particularly high compared with those reported in other studies, it is possible that the mental health status of geriatricians in Japan might not have worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, as no studies have been carried out on geriatricians before the pandemic, future studies are needed to evaluate the longitudinal changes in psychological distress and work impairment in this population.…”

“…Regarding psychological distress, the prevalence reported in this study, 15.2%, appears to be lower than that reported in previous studies carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic, although a direct comparison is difficult because of the differences in the study design, target population and assessment methods. [1][2][3] The analytic sample in the present study was limited to doctors; however, doctors might be less susceptible to psychological distress than other healthcare workers. [29][30][31] In addition, the doctors in this study were not necessarily involved in the direct care of COVID-19 patients; this might have made the prevalence of psychological distress lower, because directly engaging in COVID-19 care has been associated with a higher prevalence of depression among healthcare workers.…”

“…Since the beginning of the global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic, healthcare systems have been under immense pressure owing to the overwhelming increase in cases and fatalities caused by COVID‐19. Healthcare workers, especially those on the frontline against COVID‐19, experience mental health problems including burnout, anxiety, depression, insomnia and even post‐traumatic stress disorder 1–3 . These mental health problems have been attributed to changes in work, increased workload, physical exhaustion, feelings of vulnerability or loss of control, the need to make ethically difficult decisions on the rationing of care, worry about the risk of infection and transmission to family members, detachment from family and society, and fear of COVID‐19 1,4–7 .…”

“…Healthcare workers, especially those on the frontline against COVID-19, experience mental health problems including burnout, anxiety, depression, insomnia and even post-traumatic stress disorder. [1][2][3] These mental health problems have been attributed to changes in work, increased workload, physical exhaustion, feelings of vulnerability or loss of control, the need to make ethically difficult decisions on the rationing of care, worry about the risk of infection and transmission to family members, detachment from family and society, and fear of COVID-19. 1,[4][5][6][7] These adverse influences on the mental health of healthcare workers have attracted research interest, particularly during the initial phase of the pandemic; however, several studies suggest that mental health problems have persisted during and between repeated COVID-19 outbreaks, and remain an issue.…”