Public health nurses’ perceptions and experiences of emergency preparedness, responsiveness, and burnout during the COVID‐19 pandemic

Abstract

Objective(s):To describe PHNs' perceptions and experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic, including training, response activities, and work-related challenges. Design:This was a qualitative study using interpretive description for analysis.Sample: PHN participants who worked in public health departments in Wisconsin were recruited using purposive sampling. A total of 15 PHNs participated in the study, including both general and supervisor-level PHNs. Measurements: Data were collected via semi-structured interviews from March to May 2021. Interview questions focused on PHNs' perceptions, experiences, response activities, and burnout in relation to the current pandemic as well as perceptions and experiences of emergency preparedness and response in general. Results: Five themes emerged in the study. These were: (1) experiences and observations of the COVID-19 pandemic, (2) organizational changes and their impacts, (3) public health emergency preparedness and response, (4) public health emergency response activities, and (5) role strain and burnout. Conclusions: Findings presented here have important implications for PHN training and support in emergency preparedness and response. A wide array of strategies focused on developing and supporting the PHN workforce in response to the public health crisis this area need to be implemented at the organizational, community, and policy levels.

Prevalence of Burnout Among Public Health Professionals: A Systematic Review

“…The Table 1 lists the most common risk factors identified (found in 2 or more studies) across the studies with a comparison by pandemic status and region. Overall, the most common risk factors for burnout identified across all studies were: overwork/overtime,21-25,27,32,35 lack of support,21,27,30,31 and new/changing/unclear responsibilities and roles 21,22,24,27. The most common risk factors analyzed with quantitative statistical significance were: overwork/overtime,25,27,32,35 lack of support,27,30,31 younger age,25,27,32 and permanent/full-time employee status 25,27,32.…”

“…Among the records retrieved from PubMed (n = 2330), ClinicalKey (n = 134), PsycINFO (n = 224), SocINDEX (n = 45), and EMBASE (n = 594), before screening 477 records were excluded as duplicates (Figure 1). Ultimately, the review incorporated 15 studies, 4 qualitative,21-24 and 11 quantitative studies 25-35…”

“…25,32 In studies during the COVID-19 pandemic, the most common risk factors were: overwork/ overtime, [21][22][23][24]27 lack of support, 21,27,30,31 and new/changing/unclear roles and responsibilities. 21,22,24,27 In the Lee et al 27 study, in addition to younger age, female gender, and unmarried status, those who reported poor self-rated health had the greatest burnout scores. In support of the Lee et al 27 study, a study by Kim et al 31 found that those with better perception of their overall health were significantly less likely to experience burnout.…”

A qualitative study of school nurses’ moral distress related to COVID‐19

“…The findings from this study contribute to the growing literature that indicates the prevalence of personal harassment experienced by SNs and other public health workers during the pandemic as they were trying to perform public health duties for the good of the communities they served (Anthes, 2021;Bergren, 2021;Nierenberg, 2021). Gwon et al (2022) found that organizational changes, role strain, and burnout were expressed by public health nurses with negative effects on their mental health. The political aspects of COVID-19 pandemic responses found in this study have also been a national theme for many healthcare workers (Hawkins et al, 2022).…”

“…Gwon et al. (2022) found that organizational changes, role strain, and burnout were expressed by public health nurses with negative effects on their mental health. The political aspects of COVID‐19 pandemic responses found in this study have also been a national theme for many healthcare workers (Hawkins et al., 2022).…”