Psychological Impact of COVID-19 Emergency on Health Professionals: Burnout Incidence at the Most Critical Period in Spain

Abstract

Background: The health profession is a burnout producer due to the continuous contact with pain and suffering. In addition, excessive workloads can generate stress and psychological distress. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the degree of burnout and its main triggers in health professionals in Spain at the most critical period of the COVID-19 emergency. Method: A quantitative research was developed through a simple random sampling in different Spanish hospitals through the period of greatest impact of the pandemic (N = 157). Data were collected using a standardized questionnaire from Maslach burnout inventory (MBI) containing 22 items, which measures three subscales: emotional burnout, depersonalization, and self-fulfillment. Results: depersonalization values reached 38.9%. A total of 90.4% of the health professionals considered that psychological care should be provided from the work centers. Furthermore, 43.3% of the health professionals estimated that they might need psychological treatment in the future. Finally, 85.4% stated that the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) generated an increase in stress and anxiety. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the need to consider specific mental health care services and training in crises to avoid possible psychological disorders. The information obtained is also valuable for the development of future prevention protocols and training of health personnel to face pandemics of these characteristics or emergency scenarios. Having the necessary physical means for their protection, as well to updated regular and accurate information, is essential to avoid feelings of fear and uncertainty. This would promote the health of these professionals.

Burnout in Spanish Security Forces during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Our study showed that 87.2% of the participants reported their level of stress and/or anxiety increased in their work because of not having the basic supplies for their personal protection. This is one of the reasons why the levels of death anxiety and burnout were elevated, as also reported in previous studies [5,21].…”

“…For example, a lot of research is being done concerning other occupations such as health workers, teachers, etc. [5,[55][56][57][58][59][60][61][62][63][64][65].…”

“…Continuous and prolonged exposure to stress may result in the appearance of burnout [4]. Essential workers who perform their labor in challenging contexts, such as those previously mentioned, have the responsibility to make difficult decisions; they express concerns about their exposure and that of their families [5,6], which may have a potentially negative impact on their mental health in the short and long terms [7].…”

“…The health crisis caused by the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic (Coronavirus Disease), an infectious disease caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (2019-nCoV), has affected all sectors of the population in Spain, especially those who have worked on the front line such as health care professionals and organizations working for the safety and protection of citizens [5,18]. These professions, considered essential, have not been exempt from the stress caused by COVID-19 in society; they have had to perform their work anomalously due to the pandemic, experiencing alterations in their usual tasks.…”

Emotional Experience and Feelings during First COVID-19 Outbreak Perceived by Physical Therapists: A Qualitative Study in Madrid, Spain

“…In Spain, risk factors associated to psychological distress and the presence of intensive and severe negative emotions in healthcare professionals included the lack of enough PPE under working exposure, non-existent or contradictory work protocols, working 12–24 h, or being worried that a family member could be infected by the virus [ 5 , 8 , 33 ]. Moreover, social isolation, uncertainty, reluctance to work, or considering absenteeism were also frequently reported by Spanish healthcare professionals [ 28 ].…”