Burnout Mediates the Association Between Workaholism and Substance Use: Findings from a French National Company

To examine the mediation effect of burnout on the association between workaholism and tobacco and alcohol use. A total of 2199 workers from the French national electricity company fulfilled an online questionnaire. Smoking status, alcohol use disorder based on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption and workaholism based on the Work Addiction Risk Test were used as binary variables. Burnout was assessed as a continuous variable with the Copenhagen Burn-Out Inventory. Mediation analyses tested the direct effect of the associations between workaholism and each substance use, as well as the indirect effect passing through burnout, while adjusting for sociodemographic factors (gender, age, occupational grade and marital life), work stress using the effort-reward imbalance and overcommitment. When testing the mediation effect of burnout on the relation between workaholism and smoking, there was a significant direct effect of workaholism on smoking (Estimated effect of 0.27 [95% CI 0.01; 0.54]) and a significant indirect effect passing through burnout (Estimated effect of 0.09 [95% CI 0.02; 0.15]). When testing the mediation effect of burnout on the relation between workaholism and alcohol use, the direct effect of workaholism on alcohol use was not significant (Estimated effect of 0.21 [95% CI - 0.01; 0.44]) while the indirect effect passing through burnout was significant (Estimated effect of 0.10 [95% CI 0.04; 0.17]). Information and prevention regarding substance use should be reinforced among workers exposed to workaholism, especially if their workaholism led to a high level of burnout. Preventing the emergence of burnout among workaholics might have some benefits on their tobacco and alcohol use.

Fear of giving birth alone: Experiences of psychological distress, symptoms of anxiety and depression, and coping- strategies of childbearing women during COVID-19

BACKGROUND

Psychological distress during pregnancy is a well-documented risk factor for adverse maternal outcomes. Distress related to the COVID-19 pandemic may further increase the vulnerability of pregnant women to negative mental health outcomes.

AIM

To explore the mental health experiences of pregnant women, focusing on mental health outcomes, challenges related to the pandemic, coping strategies, and factors buffering mental health factors during the restricted COVID-19 lockdown period.

METHODS

A mixed-methods survey study was conducted, examining symptoms of anxiety, depression, and burnout among 21 pregnant women. Qualitative data were gathered through open-ended questions about participants' experiences of challenges, coping strategies and buffering factors amid the pandemic. Symptoms of anxiety, depression and burnout were calculated, and qualitative data was thematically analyzed.

RESULTS

Approximately one-third (24 %) of the respondents reported clinically significant levels of depression, 19 % reported clinically significant levels of anxiety, and 43 % reported experiencing burnout. All participants reported distress and emotional burden, including fear, worry, stress and anxiety related to the pandemic. Specific concerns such as fear of giving birth alone, fear of the consequences due to lockdown restrictions, insufficient information, disruption of prenatal healthcare services, and fear of miscarriage were prevalent among the participants. Social support, financial stability, stable relationships, adherence to daily routines, reduced stress and social demands, a calmer daily life, physical activity, and less work-related stress including working from home, emerges as buffering factors that aided women in coping with pandemic-related distress.

CONCLUSION

Healthcare providers should prioritize stability, predictability, and minimizing disruptions to prenatal care. Broad-based screening is crucial to identify women at risk of depression, anxiety, and burnout. Recommendations for clinical pathways aimed at pregnant women are discussed.

[Burnout, anxiety, insomnia and depressive symptoms among French outpatient physicians in the second wave of COVID-19: Comparison between general practitioners and specialists]

INTRODUCTION

The 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has caused a public health crisis worldwide. Concerns have been expressed about the rapid deterioration of mental health among primary care physicians among whom burnout already had a high prevalence prior to the pandemic. However, there is little data on private doctors during the pandemic. France experienced a second wave with a second lockdown. We aimed to assess and compare physicians' burnout, anxiety and depression symptoms and insomnia between general practitioners (GP) and all other private specialists during the second Covid-19 wave.

METHODS

We conducted an online survey of private practitioners registered on Doctolib® (n=32,655), the interface software most used by private practitioners for booking medical appointments in France. Doctors were invited by email to complete an online survey in November 2020. Inclusions were closed on 1st December. The 2nd lockdown lasted from 30th October to 15th December 2020. We used the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI) to assess burnout syndrome. A mean score of>50 in at least one subscale defined burnout. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale assessed anxiety and depression symptoms. We used two cut-offs, 8 (>7) and 11 (>10), as both are validated in the ability to find cases. The Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) measures sleep-related complaints among physicians (cut-off >7). To link variations in the psychological scales to the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the items asked explicitly whether participants considered that "the COVID-19 epidemic we are currently experiencing is a source of excess stress, psychological suffering or burnout". Approval for this study was obtained from the local institutional review board of the University of Paris-Saclay, France. The questionnaires were collected anonymously. Statistical significance was tested using the chi-square test and student's t-test to compare the prevalence between GPs and other specialities. Subsequently, logistic regression models were run for statistically significant associations.

RESULTS

1992 physicians replied, a response rate of 12.8% of those who received the invitation email. Among them, 79.4% suffered from psychological distress (symptoms of anxiety or depression or burnout), of which 71.3% suffered from burnout, 26.7% from depressive symptoms, 58.9% from anxiety symptoms and 45.8% from insomnia. There was no difference in gender between GPs and specialists, but there was an age difference (P<0.001). GPs had a higher prevalence of burnout (OR=1.33 CI95 [1.09;1.63]) and took more psychotropic drugs (1.38 CI95 [1.05;1.81]). They were also more likely to perceive their stress as work-related (OR=1.50 CI95 [1.23;1.81]) or COVID-19-related (OR=1.43 CI95 [1.16;1.77]).

CONCLUSION

Our study is the first to assess the mental health of private practitioners in the second wave in association with COVID-19 stress. Firstly, GPs who provide primary care have a significantly higher burnout rate than other doctors. Secondly, COVID-19 stress is associated with more significant psychological distress. Thirdly, almost 80% of the private doctors surveyed suffer from psychological pain, and 71% suffer from burnout. This study has strengths and limitations. Firstly, this study assesses mental health and stress related to its COVID-19 association. Second, this is the largest population of private physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic. The low response rate is the main limit of this study. The alarming rates of psychological distress among private doctors and, in particular, GPs should lead to intervention to help doctors reduce stress, burnout and other mental disorders. This study gives a picture of the situation during the second wave and the lock-in, and we need to be cautious with the next waves.

Explaining depression in the language of burnout: Normative reasons for depression in place of deterministic causes

In recent years, there has been renewed interest in diversifying the understanding and discussion about the causes of depression to move beyond biomedical determinism-a view that biomedical factors are the ultimate cause of an individual's depression. There is increasing emphasis on diversity in how people seek to articulate the causes of depression to incorporate non-biomedical dimensions. Furthermore, the biomedical understanding of depression has been increasingly questioned due especially to emerging limitations in pharmacotherapy. These shifts encourage social analyses that explore what narratives as to the causes of depression are constructed and presented with relative plausibility in different contexts and why and how. By analysing published memoirs of individuals diagnosed with depression in Japan, this study aims to provide fresh insights into narratives around the causes of depression. It illustrates how memoirs portray depression and its perceived causes in characteristic ways in a nation that adopts Western diagnostic systems, biomedical therapeutics and other relevant technologies. I will show that 'burnout' is the dominant theme in the Japanese data, diverging from the predominantly biomedical narrative in Western societies. This burnout narrative depicts depression as the somewhat unfortunate but unsurprising result of overwork arising from individual active adaptations to structural features of the Japanese work culture. I argue that reasons, rather than causes, articulate the making of the burnout narrative by revealing the interplay between the structural and individual and ultimately enrich the understanding of depression. The paper concludes with a call for exploring the shifting relationship between illness and normalcy that the burnout narrative implies. I suggest that further studies could explore how the boundaries between normalcy and illness are enacted and re-enacted and to what avail through public discourse and through shifting diagnostic schemata in the context of different national norms and practices.

Differential impact of COVID-19 on mental health and burnout

BACKGROUND

There may be differential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and burnout rates of healthcare professionals (HCPs) performing different roles.

AIMS

To examine mental health and burnout rates, and possible drivers for any disparities between professional roles.

METHODS

In this cohort study, online surveys were distributed to HCPs in July-September 2020 (baseline) and re-sent 4 months later (follow-up; December 2020) assessing for probable major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), insomnia, mental well-being and burnout (emotional exhaustion and depersonalization). Separate logistic regression models (at both phases) compared the risk of outcomes between roles: healthcare assistants (HCAs), nurses and midwives (nurses), allied health professionals (AHPs) and doctors (reference group). Separate linear regression models were also developed relating the change in scores to professional role.

RESULTS

At baseline (n = 1537), nurses had a 1.9-fold and 2.5-fold increased risk of MDD and insomnia, respectively. AHPs had a 1.7-fold and 1.4-fold increased risk of MDD and emotional exhaustion, respectively. At follow-up (n = 736), the disproportionate risk between doctors and others worsened: nurses and HCAs were at 3.7-fold and 3.6-fold increased risk of insomnia, respectively. Nurses also had a significantly increased risk of MDD, GAD, poor mental well-being and burnout. Nurses also had significantly worsened anxiety, mental well-being and burnout scores over time, relative to doctors.

CONCLUSIONS

Nurses and AHPs had excess risk of adverse mental health and burnout during the pandemic, and this difference worsened over time (in nurses especially). Our findings support adoption of targeted strategies accounting for different HCP roles.

Beyond compassion fatigue, compassion as a virtue

One of the great problems of caregivers and health professionals in recent times has been the so-called compassion fatigue and its association with burnout syndrome. Another pole of compassion has been described in terms of compassion satisfaction. Both propositions could be problematic in the caregiving setting. This is an analytical reflective article that through an apparent aporia tries to problematize and propose a theoretical synthesis that allows to denote compassion as a virtue in Aristotelian terms. To this end, it resorts to etymologies, translations and mainly to the classical theoretical references regarding compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction and, of course, Aristotelian ethics. This is a theoretical bet that leaves open the discussion regarding the dichotomies compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction; apathy and hyperpathy; and proposes to rethink compassion as a virtue, a reasoned middle ground, contextualized in the framework of care between two possible excesses.

Role stress, occupational burnout and depression among emergency nurses: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Emergency nurses are a professional group at a high risk of burnout and depression. This may influence their mental state and physical health.

AIMS

The aim of the study was to explore the relationship between role stress, occupational burnout and depression among emergency nurses.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was carried out among 295 emergency nurses from eight tertiary hospitals in western China. The Role Stress Scale, the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale were employed. Descriptive statistics, independent sample t-tests, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson's correlation analysis and regression analysis were performed.

RESULTS

Of the study participants, 54.6% were found to have depressive symptoms and 48.1% had severe occupational burnout. Positive correlations were observed between the scores of role stress and burnout and depression. Approximately 37.1% of the variation in depression was explained by the components of occupational burnout.

CONCLUSIONS

Emergency nurses experience high levels of role stress, occupational burnout and depression. Preventive approaches to role stress, burnout and depression are needed to improve their psychological condition and quality of work life.

Perceived and Received Support by Academic Medicine Faculty During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Single Institution Study

OBJECTIVE

The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted healthcare worker well-being, leading to increased burnout and decreased workplace engagement. To combat expected stressors from the pandemic, our mid-sized academic health center implemented numerous institutional support, such as town halls, and virtual support groups. This study aimed to evaluate faculty utilization of institutional support, its association with perceived organizational support, received organizational support, and burnout.

METHODS

A retrospective, cross-sectional survey was distributed to 630 faculty employed at our institution in September 2020, assessing participant demographics, institutional support utilized, perceived organizational support, and burnout, through a combination of self-report measures and qualitative responses.

RESULTS

A total of 79 (12.5%) faculty provided complete responses and were included in the analysis. Qualitative analysis identified 4 primary themes: (1) flexibility and adjusted expectations, (2) direct communication, (3) sense of community, and (4) no support felt, with additional subthemes within each larger theme. Increased utilization of institutional support was associated with decreased odds of experiencing burnout.

CONCLUSION

Flexibility, communication, and sense of community emerged as important strategies for maintaining faculty well-being and engagement during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study suggests that utilization of workplace support is protective against burnout. Perceived support was not beneficial.

Management standards and burnout among surgeons in the United Kingdom

BACKGROUND

Burnout arising from chronic work-related stress is endemic among surgeons in the UK. Identification of contributory and modifiable psychosocial work characteristics could inform risk reduction activities.

AIMS

We aimed to assess the extent to which surgeons' psychosocial working conditions met aspirational Management Standards delineated by the UK Health and Safety Executive, draw comparisons with national general workforce benchmarks and explore associations with burnout.

METHODS

Surgeons (N = 536) completed the Management Standards Indicator Tool and a single-item measure of burnout. Descriptive data were computed for each Standard, independent t-tests were used to examine differences between trainees and consultants, and hierarchical linear regression was applied to explore relations between psychosocial work environment quality and burnout.

RESULTS

Psychosocial work environment quality fell short of each Management Standard. Trainee surgeons (n = 214) reported significantly poorer psychosocial working conditions than consultant surgeons (n = 322) on the control, peer support and change Standards. When compared with UK workforce benchmarks, trainees' psychosocial working conditions fell below the 10th percentile on four Standards and below the 50th percentile on the remainder. Consultant surgeons were below the 50th percentile on five of the seven Standards. Psychosocial working conditions accounted for 35% of the variance in burnout over that accounted for by socio- and occupational-demographic characteristics.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgeons' psychosocial working conditions were poor in comparison with benchmark data and associated with burnout. These findings suggest that risk management activities based on the Management Standards approach involving modification of psychosocial working conditions would help to reduce burnout in this population.

Prevalence and Distribution of Known Associated Factors of Burnout among Military Personnel of Sri Lanka Army: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study

INTRODUCTION

Burnout is a psychological condition that has a detrimental effect on occupational and mental health. The military is a known community that is vulnerable to burnout. Burnout risk may have increased over the past 10 years due to the accumulation of recognized burnout correlates in the Sri Lankan military context. Sri Lanka Army is acknowledged as the country's main defense force to combat any impending threat. Therefore, it is crucial to recognize and control mental health issues like burnout. This study aims to describe the prevalence and distribution of recognized factors associated with burnout among Sri Lankan Army soldiers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 1692 Army personnel to describe the known associated factor profile and prevalence of burnout. The multistage sampling method that contained random, cluster, and systematic sampling steps was used. Validated Maslach burnout inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS) Sinhala version, Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory (Brief-COPE), and a structured questionnaire on associated factors of burnout were included in a self-administered questionnaire. Sizes of each associated variable were calculated as frequency and percentage. Relevant central tendencies (mean or median) and distributions (confidence interval or interquartile range) of important variables were calculated. Crude and adjusted prevalence was calculated using validity properties obtained from prior criterion validity assessment.

RESULTS

The response rate was 94% (n = 1490). The mean age was 30.7 (SD ± 6.23) years. The female participant percentage was 9.4% (n = 149). Half of participants (n = 813, 51.1%) were Lance corporals and Corporals. Nearly 80% (n = 1324, 83.2%) of study population gets less than Sri Lankan Rupees (SLR) 50,000 as final monthly salary, and three-fourth (n = 1187, 74.7%) did not have money savings. Faced difficulty because of resource deficiency (n = 1099, 69.1%), poor job control (n = 669, 42.1%), job ambiguity (n = 869, 55%), intention to leave (n = 842, 53%), and history of been absent (n = 298, 18.7%) were found to be much prevalent. The crude prevalence of probable burnout among military personnel of Sri Lanka Army was estimated to be 28% (95% CI, 23.13-32.87), and the adjusted prevalence of burnout was 23.2% (95% CI, 18.9-27.5).

CONCLUSION

High prevalence and high density of known associated factors of burnout would adversely influence the achievement of organizational goals of Sri Lanka Army. Early attention and proper action are strongly recommended.

Moral courage, burnout, professional competence, and compassion fatigue among nurses

BACKGROUND

Moral courage is the ability to defend and practice ethical and moral action when faced with a challenge, even if it means rejecting pressure to act otherwise. However, moral courage remains an unexplored concept among middle eastern nurses.

AIM

This study investigated the mediating role of moral courage in the relationship between burnout, professional competence, and compassion fatigue among Saudi Arabian nurses.

RESEARCH DESIGN

Correlational, cross-sectional design following the STROBE guidelines.

PARTICIPANTS AND RESEARCH CONTEXT

Convenience sampling was used to recruit nurses (n = 684) for four government hospitals in Saudi Arabia. Four validated self-report questionnaires (Nurses' Moral Courage Scale, Nurse Professional Competence Scale-Short Form, Maslach Burnout Inventory, and Nurses Compassion Fatigue Inventory) were used to collect data between May to September 2022. Spearman rho and structural equation modeling analyses were employed to analyze the data.

ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

The ethics review committee of a government university in Ha'il region, Saudi Arabia, approval this study (Protocol no.: H-2021-012; Approved: 08/022,021). Participants were fully explained the study aims, and consent was voluntarily secured.

RESULTS

The emerging model showed that burnout had a direct and positive influence on compassion fatigue, while professional competence had a direct, negative effect on compassion fatigue. Moral courage had a small and direct but negative influence on compassion fatigue. Mediation analyses also indicated that moral courage significantly mediated the indirect effects of burnout and professional competence on compassion fatigue.

CONCLUSION

Moral courage can be a crucial aspect in preserving the psychological and mental health of nurses, particularly under stressful conditions. Therefore, it is advantageous from an organizational and leadership standpoint to implement measures such as programs and interventions to foster moral courage among nurses.

Burnout in Surgical Residents of Underrepresented in Medicine Backgrounds: Key Influencing Factors and Possible Solutions

INTRODUCTION

Alarming rates of burnout in surgical training pose a concern due to its deleterious effects on both patients and providers. Datum remains lacking on rates of burnout in surgical residents based on race and ethnicity. This study aims to document the frequency of burnout in surgical residents of racially underrepresented backgrounds and elucidate contributing factors.

METHODS

A 35-question anonymized survey was distributed to general surgery residents from 23 programs between August 2018 and May 2019. This survey was designed from the validated Maslach Burnout Inventory, and included additional questions assessing participant demographics, educational, and social backgrounds. Responses were analyzed utilizing chi-square tests and Wilcoxon rank sum tests. There was also a free response portion of the survey which was evaluated using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

We received 243 responses from 23 general surgery programs yielding a 9% (23/246) program response rate and 26% (243/935) response rate by surgical residents. One hundred and eighty-five participants (76%) identified as nonunderrepresented in medicine and 58 (24%) of participants identified as underrepresented in medicine. Fifty-three percent were male and 47% female. Overall, sixty-six percent of all surgical residents (n = 161) endorsed burnout with racially underrepresented residents reporting higher rates of burnout at 76% compared to 63% in their nonunderrepresented counterparts (P = 0.07).

CONCLUSIONS

Although the generalizability of these results is limited, higher rates of reported burnout in racially underrepresented trainees noted in our study illuminates the need for continual dialogue on potential influencing factors and mitigation strategies.

Building a Culture of Support at a Pediatric Surgery Center Through Multidisciplinary Peer Support

INTRODUCTION

Surgeons and perioperative staff experience high rates of burnout manifesting as exhaustion, depersonalization, and lack of achievement. Consequences include increases in errors and adverse patient events. Little data exist regarding the effectiveness of multidisciplinary peer support systems in combatting burnout. We sought to improve staff morale through establishment of a formally trained, multidisciplinary peer support team.

METHODS

Selfselected surgeons, anesthesiologists, and nurses were formally trained as Peer Responders as part of an institutional peer support program. All perioperative staff at our pediatric surgery center (n = 120) were surveyed before initiation of the program and then 1-mo and 12-mo after initiation. Primary outcomes were unit morale, unit support, and peer approachability. Kruskal-Wallis tests and Chi-squared tests were used for comparison of primary outcomes among surveys and by position with an alpha value of 0.05 set for significance. Institutional review board approval was waived.

RESULTS

The survey response rates were 57.5%, 32.5%, and 37.5% chronologically. After 1 year, there were statistically significant increases in unit support (P < 0.01) and peer approachability (P < 0.001), and a nonstatistically significant increase in unit morale (P = 0.22). On subgroup analysis by staff role, surgeons were least likely to utilize peer support.

CONCLUSIONS

A multidisciplinary peer support team is an effective and easily reproducible means of building a culture of support and improving morale among perioperative staff. Surgeons were least likely to seek interprofessional peer support. Consequently, surgeon-specific strategies may be necessary. Further investigations are ongoing regarding secondary effects on staff burnout rates, patient safety, and quality of care.

Investigation of Nurses' Wellbeing towards Errors in Clinical Practice-The Role of Resilience

Background and Objectives: The fatigue, stress, and burnout of nurses lead to them frequently making mistakes, which have a negative impact not only on the safety of the patients but also on their psychology. The ability to bounce back from mistakes is crucial for nurses. Nursing staff members' physical and mental health, particularly their depression, is far from ideal, and this ill health is directly correlated with the frequency of self-reported medical errors. The nurses' mental and physical health are also positively correlated with their perception of wellness support at work. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the status of nurses' mental and physical health regarding clinical errors and the impact of resilience on coping with these situations. Materials and Methods: A total of 364 healthcare professionals participated in this research; 87.5% of them were females and 12.5% of them were males. Most of the participants were 22-35 years old. The median number of years of employment was nine. Clinical nurses anonymously and voluntarily completed a special structured questionnaire that included questions from different validated tools in order to assess their state of physical and mental wellbeing after events of stress and errors made during their practice. Results: In total, 49.4% of the nurses had made an error on their own, and 73.2% had witnessed an error that someone else had made. At the time of the error, 29.9% of the participants were in charge of more than 20 patients, while 28.9% were responsible for a maximum of three patients. Participants who were 36-45 years old had more resilience (p = 0.049) and experienced fewer negative emotions than participants who were 22-35 years old. The participants who mentioned more positive feelings according to their mental state had greater resilience (p > 0.001). Conclusions: Errors were likely to happen during clinical practice due to nurses' negative experiences. The level of resilience among the nursing population was found to play a very important role not only in making mistakes but also in coping with errors during their daily routine. Wellness and prevention must be given top priority in all healthcare systems across the country in order to promote nurses' optimal health and wellbeing, raise the standard of care, and reduce the likelihood of expensive, avoidable medical errors. Healthcare administrations should promote prevention programs for stress occurrence in order to support nurses' wellbeing maintenance.

Burnout and quality of life in Portuguese healthcare professionals working in oncology and palliative care-a preliminary study

BACKGROUND

Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families who are facing challenges associated with life-threatening illness, through the prevention and relief of suffering. Palliative care health professionals are considered a risk group for the development of burnout, since they live with severe disease and death, on a daily basis. With this work, the authors intend to evaluate the quality of life and risk of burnout in a group of health professionals, who work in a tertiary hospital dedicated to cancer patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The authors conducted a quantitative, descriptive, correlational and transversal study on palliative care professionals working with cancer patients. The evaluation protocol used to collect data included a sociodemographic questionnaire, WHO Quality of life Assessment instrument and Maslach Burnout Inventory. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS®Statistics program.

RESULTS

In the sample, there is a predominance of female gender (79,4%) with a mean age of 43,2 ± 10,8 years. The most representative professional group was nursing (47,1%). The sample response rate was 91.9%. Analyzing Maslach Burnout Inventory score, it appears that physicians and nurses have higher levels of exhaustion when compared to the other groups. In relation to quality of life (QoL), it was observed that in all dimensions, there was a homogeneous distribution of responses. It was verified that it was not possible to establish any relationship between the dimensions of burnout and QoL. Thus, the various dimensions behaved independently.

DISCUSSION

Physicians and nurses had the highest burnout levels in the most dimensions of Burnout score, in which they were followed by the operational assistants, who had moderate scores. Despite hight prevalence of Burnout, there is no correlation between Burnout and quality of life in this population. The perception of QoL is very satisfactory in the sample studied may result from the fact that these individuals have developed adequate self-protection strategies, thus preventing QoL from being affected by Burnout.

CONCLUSION

Prevention, diagnosis and intervention at burnout level is an important measure to be taken in health organizations, since the consequences that come from the experiences experienced by professionals will be reflected both in the quality of services provided to patients and in the QoL and well-being of professionals. Interventions are needed to promote better coping mechanisms when dealing with stress in this population. After this study, a Burnout Consultation was created at the Institution, to support professionals at risk or already affected.

The effect of low back and neck pain on posture, burnout, and quality of life in formal caregivers of children with disabilities and the elderly

BACKGROUND

Caregiving, which is often described as a stressful job due to the patience and dedication it requires, affects the physical and mental health of the employees of the profession due to various factors.

AIMS

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of lower back and neck pain on posture, burnout level, and quality of life of the formal caregivers of children with disability and the elderly.

METHODS

The study included 64 formal caregivers of children with disability and the elderly. The socio-demographic characteristics of the participants were recorded. The Oswestry Disability Index, the Neck Disability Index, the Maslach Burnout Inventory, and the Short Form-36 were used to evaluate low back pain, neck pain, burnout levels, and quality of life, respectively. Participants' spinal posture values were measured with the Spinal Mouse device.

RESULTS

When the groups were combined and examined, it was found that neck pain caused changes in the spinal posture (p < 0.05) and that low back pain did not affect spinal posture (p > 0.05). Also, low back and neck pain had an increasing effect on emotional burnout and desensitization and a decreasing effect on the quality of life (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, it was observed that low back and neck pain experience has negative effects on individuals' posture, burnout levels, and quality of life.

Midwives' occupational wellbeing and its determinants. A cross-sectional study among newly qualified and experienced Dutch midwives

OBJECTIVE

Internationally, about 40 percent of midwives report symptoms of burnout, with young and inexperienced midwives being most vulnerable. There is a lack of recent research on burnout among Dutch midwives. The aim of this study was to examine the occupational wellbeing and its determinants of newly qualified and inexperienced midwives in the Netherlands. The majority of practicing Dutch midwives are aged under 40, which could lead to premature turnover.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online questionnaire that consisted of validated scales measuring job demands, job and personal resources, burnout symptoms and work engagement. The Job Demands-Resources model was used as a theoretical model.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

We recruited Dutch midwives who were actually working in midwifery practice. A total of N=896 midwives participated in this study, representing 28 percent of practicing Dutch midwives.

MEASUREMENTS AND FINDINGS

Data were analysed using regression analysis. Seven percent of Dutch midwives reported burnout symptoms and 19 percent scored high on exhaustion. Determinants of burnout were all measured job demands, except for experience level. Almost 40 percent of midwives showed high work engagement; newly qualified midwives had the highest odds of high work engagement. Master's or PhD-level qualifications and employment status were associated with high work engagement. All measured resources were associated with high work engagement.

KEY CONCLUSIONS

A relatively small percentage of Dutch midwives reported burnout symptoms, the work engagement of Dutch midwives was very high. However, a relatively large number reported symptoms of exhaustion, which is concerning because of the risk of increasing cynicism levels leading to burnout. In contrast to previous international research findings, being young and having less working experience was not related to burnout symptoms of Dutch newly qualified midwives.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

The recognition of job and personal resources for midwives' occupational wellbeing must be considered for a sustainable midwifery workforce. Midwifery Academies need to develop personal resources of their students that will help them in future practice.

Relationships Between Burnout, Secondary Traumatic Stress, Mindfulness, and Self-Compassion in Victim Advocates

Victim advocates experience burnout and secondary traumatic stress (STS) in response to their exposure to trauma at work. Mindful awareness may serve as a protective factor against these negative outcomes. The current study examined a sample of 133 victim advocates from across the country to better understand and predict STS and burnout. Higher mindful awareness was found to be associated with lower STS and burnout, even when controlling for other best-known predictors. Self-compassion partially mediated these relationships. These findings support further research exploring the effects of mindful awareness training for victim advocates to reduce STS and burnout.

Compassion fatigue and moral sensitivity in midwives in COVID-19

BACKGROUND

The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted compassion fatigue and the mental health of health care providers, particularly midwives and nurses. Although there are studies involving health workers such as nurses and physicians affected by the pandemic's compassion fatigue, few studies include midwives.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVE

The present study seeks to investigate the effects of compassion fatigue experienced by midwives working under intense stress during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic on the level of moral sensitivity.

RESEARCH DESIGN

This is a descriptive-correlation study.

PARTICIPANTS

The statistical population consisted of all the midwives in Türkiye hospitals in 2021. This cross-sectional study was collected through a questionnaire using convenience sampling. Three hundred and ten midwives working in different units of the country participated in the study.

ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Approval from the researcher's university Institutional Review Board for ethical review was obtained with the code of IRB 20/510.

FINDINGS

The average age of the midwives is 34.29 ± 8.39. It has been noticed that 43.5% of the midwives work in public hospitals and 38.1% in family health and community health centers. Midwives' mean MR-CS score is 67.11 ± 25.13, secondary trauma sub-dimension average 15.77 ± 6.23, and occupational burnout sub-dimension 40.69 ± 16.35. The mean moral sensitivity questionnaire score is determined as 93.86 ± 19.51. It has been observed that the working style and working time are effective on compassion fatigue. In the linear regression model, 98% of compassion fatigue was explained. Age, secondary trauma, and occupational burnout sub-dimensions affect the model.

DISCUSSION

Working year, working style, second trauma, age, and occupational burnout parameters may help explain some of the links between midwives' symptoms of compassion fatigue.

CONCLUSION

The pandemic affects the compassion fatigue of midwives. It is crucial to provide social support to midwives and health workers to prevent compassion fatigue and examine and control groups at risk in mental health.

Australian dental practitioners experience of burnout

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to investigate factors associated with burnout in Australian dental practitioners.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey of 1483 Australian dental practitioners was conducted from Oct to Dec 2021. Participants reported burnout using the Sydney Burnout Measure, and aspects of mental health including psychological distress, depression, and anxiety disorders. Predictors of burnout were explored using a generalized linear model with a stepped approach including demographic, health and risk factor variables.

RESULTS

One in four participants were classified as likely to be experiencing burnout. Burnout was associated with working in a regional/rural location (β = 2.82, p < 0.001), an academic/non-clinical role (β = 5.01, p = 0.037), more years of experience as a dental practitioner (β = 0.08, p = 0.022), a current diagnosis of depression (β = 2.38, p = 0.049), moderate/severe psychological distress (β = 7.16, p < 0.001), poor self-rated physical health (β = 5.84, p < 0.001) and increasing alcohol consumption (β = 0.17, p = 0.020). Participants who scored high on resilience (β = -0.23, p = 0.002) or perfectionism (β = -0.24, p < 0.001) had lower burnout scores.

CONCLUSION

Australian dental practitioners appear to be at high risk of burnout which may impact on their health and wellbeing and ability to deliver patient care. There is a need for support services to manage burnout and education to address workplace and environmental factors that may contribute to burnout.

Global prevalence of nursing burnout syndrome and temporal trends for the last 10 years: A meta-analysis of 94 studies covering over 30 countries

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To determine the global prevalence of nursing burnout syndrome and time trends for the last 10 years.

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of burnout syndrome varied greatly in different regions in the last 10 years, so the average prevalence and time trends of nursing burnout syndrome for the last 10 years were not completely clear.

DESIGN

A meta-analysis conducted in the PRISMA guidelines.

METHODS

CINAHL, Web of Science, and PubMed were searched for trials on the prevalence of nursing burnout syndrome from 2012 to 2022 systematically. Hoy's quality assessment tool was used to evaluate the risk of bias. The global prevalence of nursing burnout syndrome was estimated, and subgroup analysis was used to explore what caused heterogeneity. Time trends for the last 10 years were evaluated by meta-regression using Stata 11.0.

RESULTS

Ninety-four studies reporting the prevalence of nursing burnout were included. The global prevalence of nursing burnout was 30.0% [95% CI: 26.0%-34.0%]. Subgroup analysis indicated that the specialty (p < .001) and the region (p < .001) and the year (p < .001) were sources of the high heterogeneity. Meta-regression indicated that it tended to increase gradually for the last 10 years (t = 3.71, p = .006). The trends increased in Europe (t = 4.23, p = .006), Africa (t = 3.75, p = .006) and obstetrics (t = 3.66, p = .015). However, no statistical significance was found in ICU (t = -.14, p = .893), oncology (t = -0.44, p = .691) and emergency department (t = -0.30, p = .783).

CONCLUSIONS

A significant number of nurses were found to have moderate-high levels of burnout syndrome for the last 10 years. The meta-analysis also indicated an increased trend over time. Therefore, more attention to the prevalence of nursing burnout syndrome is urgently required.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

High prevalence of nursing burnout may attract more attention from the public. This analysis may serve as an impetus for relevant policy to change nurses' working conditions and reduce the occurrence of burnout.

Professional burnout and patient safety culture in Primary Health Care

OBJECTIVES

to analyze the association between the risk of occupational exhaustion (burnout) and safety culture in Primary Health Care.

METHODS

ross-sectional study conducted in 18 Primary Health Care Units in the Northeast of Brazil. Three questionnaires were used: sociodemographic, Maslach Burnout Inventory, and the Medical Office Survey on Patient Safety Culture. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee.

RESULTS

seventy-eight healthcare workers participated, of which 64.1% presented a reduced risk of burnout; and 11.5%, a high risk (p=0.000). The following were identified as weakened dimensions of safety culture: Work pressure and pace; Owner, managing partners, leadership support; Overall ratings on quality; and Overall rating on patient safety.

CONCLUSIONS

an association was found between low risk of developing burnout syndrome and positive evaluation of safety culture.

Prevalence of burnout syndrome in Spanish radiologists

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The primary objective was to analyze the prevalence and degree of professional burnout in radiologists in Spain. Secondary objectives were to identify possible factors that increase or decrease the risk of burnout to enable preventive and corrective measures, decrease the stress associated with this condition, and thereby increase radiologists' performance and satisfaction at work.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This cross-sectional observational study used a voluntary, anonymous online survey of attending radiologists and residents through Google Forms®. The survey was structured into three sections: a qualitative assessment of the degree of professional burnout with the Maslach Burnout Inventory Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS), a series of sociodemographic and work-related questions, and a final section centered on possible causes of stress and improvements to the working environment. The results of the survey were analyzed statistically to determine which variables were associated with burnout syndrome as well as to identify possible risk factors and protective factors.

RESULTS

After disseminating the survey through social networks and email contacts, we received a total of 226 responses (175 from attending radiologists and 51 from residents; 52% men; mean age, 41 ± 11 years; age range, 25-68). The prevalence of the syndrome was 33%, without significant differences between attending radiologists and residents. No risk factors associated with burnout were identified. Teaching in the workplace was the only protective factor.

CONCLUSIONS

One-third of the respondents had burnout syndrome. Because the consequences of this syndrome can affect professionals' personal life and their ability to do their jobs, early detection and intervention should be prioritized.

[Burnout syndrome due to workload in the care for cancer patients]

Background

The burnout syndrome (BS) is defined as a response to chronic work stress. It appears as a subjective phenomenon and its main symptoms are the loss of enthusiasm towards work, a feeling of professional failure, feelings of guilt, emotional exhaustion and indifference to patients' problems.

Objective

To evaluate the prevalence of BS in health personnel who care for cancer patients in a tertiary hospital.

Material and methods

Descriptive cross-sectional study. The sample consisted of 41 health professionals dedicated to providing direct care to cancer patients, which were selected through an intentional non-probabilistic sampling. The Questionnaire for the Evaluation of the Burnout Syndrome was applied.

Results

In the sample studied, BS presented a prevalence of 51.21% at the medium level, 9.75% at the high level and 2.43% at the critical level. Significant differences were found between groups by service and work seniority.

Conclusions

A high prevalence of symptoms of BS was found in the study participants, derived mainly from the excessive workload, the type of care provided, as well as experiences related to contact with people living with cancer, the hospital environment, and the type of interpersonal relationships that emerge there. The personnel most affected was that one belonging to Medical Oncology, Psychology, and Social Work.

Burnout and habits harmful to the health of employees in the Argentine federal prison service

INTRODUCTION

Given that psychosocial risks may be sources of stress at work and also encourage the presence of burnout, members of state security services are likely to present high levels of this syndrome.

OBJECTIVES

To describe the prevalence and relationship between burnout and unhealthy habits amongst workers of the Argentine Federal Prison Service (SPF).

MATERIAL AND METHOD

An ex post-facto study was carried out with descriptive, cross-sectional, comparative and comparative analyses. We used the Spanish adaptations of the Maslach Burnout Inventory MBI-HSS (Maslach and Jackson, 1986), the Test For Nicotine Dependence (Fagerström, 1978) and the Body Mass Index in 151 prison officers (88 men and 63 women of 22 to 52 years).

RESULTS

The prevalence of burnout was 6.62%, while the results for dimensions were: smoking 37.09%, passive smoking 70.20%, overweight 45.03% and obesity 44.37%. The dimensions of burnout showed that differences between groups indicate a higher level of emotional exhaustion in treatment and treatment functions, passive smokers and those who consume less fruit and vegetables on a weekly basis. There was greater depersonalization in subjects that are currently smoking. There was lower personal fulfillment in obese people, passive smokers, current smokers, moderate level smokers, those who consume less fruit and vegetables every week and those with obesity.

DISCUSSION

Smoking and high body mass index and links with eating habits are factors that may negatively affect the health and wellbeing of prison officers in terms of personal accomplishment.

Social Insurance Physician Burnout—Stress Factors and Coping Strategies

Background and Objective Burnout syndrome is well-documented and highly prevalent among healthcare professionals. The literature search found studies mainly aimed at front-line medical specialties, cardiologists, or physicians working in intensive care units. Workload and work conditions favor the occurrence of burnout syndrome among social insurance physicians, with many consequences on health status and a decrease in the quality of their work. We aimed to assess the degree of vulnerability to developing burnout syndrome, factors associated with stress, and coping strategies at social insurance physicians. Materials and Methods: Social insurance physicians working in territorial services for medical assessment of work capacity from Romania participated in the study. An observational study was performed to describe the extent of the exhaustion syndrome among social insurance physicians (SIPhs). Three questionnaires were filled out by the participants: a short version of MBI-HSS to analyze the degree of burnout, an interview with specific questions for the source of stress and Brief-COPE for stress control. Brief demographic data were also collected. Data were statistically analyzed with appropriate tests using PSPP software. Results: Seventy-four physicians were included in the study. Fifty-six were females (75.7%) and twenty-eight (38%) had moderate or high burnout and cognitive distortions with depression resulting as a major side-effect (p < 0.001). Professional factors, mainly deadline pressure (p < 0.001) and high workload (p = 0.012), have emerged as contributing factors to burnout syndrome. Mental disengagement (p = 0.001), active coping (p = 0.006), and acceptance (p = 0.014) would improve stress control. Conclusion: More than two-thirds of social insurance physicians had moderate and high burnout syndrome. The development of strategies to standardize workload was identified as an important action area, along with the long-term preservation of health status and professional performance.

Beyond the Hype: (How) Are Work Regimes Associated with Job Burnout?

Job burnout affects countless workers and constitutes a major issue in working life. Prevention strategies such as offering part-time options and shorter working weeks have been widely advocated to address this issue. However, the relationship between shorter work regimes and burnout risk has not yet been investigated across diverse working populations applying validated measures and frameworks for job burnout. Building on the most recent operationalisation of job burnout and the seminal job demands-resources theory, the purpose of the current study is to investigate whether shorter work regimes are associated with lower burnout risk and whether the job demands-resources explain this association. To this end, a heterogenous sample of 1006 employees representative for age and gender completed the Burnout Assessment Tool (BAT) and Workplace Stressors Assessment Questionnaire (WSAQ). Our mediation analyses yield a very small but significant indirect association between work regimes and burnout risk through job demands, but no significant total or direct association between work regimes and burnout risk. Our result suggests that employees in shorter work regimes experience slightly fewer job demands, but are equally prone to developing burnout as their full-time counterparts. The latter finding raises concerns about the sustainability of burnout prevention that focuses on mere work regimes instead of the root causes of burnout.

Factors influencing teacher wellbeing and burnout in schools: A scoping review

BACKGROUND

Teacher's wellbeing and mental health play a pivotal role in learning experiences and educational environment. For a better future, we need thriving teachers with strong wellbeing.

OBJECTIVE

The current scoping literature review aimed to explore the factors fostering wellbeing and causing burnout among school teachers.

METHODS

Applying appropriate search terms to relevant databases for the years 2016-2020 yielded 934 potentially relevant research articles which were further filtered to 102 articles.

RESULTS

The findings of this review suggested that emotion regulation, positive workplace milieu and teacher self-efficacy (feeling successful as a teacher) are important factors fostering teachers' wellbeing whilst negative workplace environment and negative emotions along with feeling marginalized or bullied by coworkers are factors behind teacher burnout. The strengths of this study include a rigorous research design and relational analysis approach.

CONCLUSION

Teacher wellbeing needs a workplace environment with minimum bullying and marginalization. An atmosphere of respect, inclusion, and mutual teacher support is needed to promote wellbeing.

Evaluation of general health, exposure to workplace violence, and predicting its consequences in health care employees in Iran

BACKGROUND

Workplace violence is an important event that affects the safety of healthcare employees, and diagnosing it in hospitals is an immediate occupational concern.

OBJECTIVE

The present study was conducted to investigate general health and the prevalence of occupational violence and to predict its consequences among nurses and paramedics as the main body in medical settings.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was performed in 2020 in a selected hospital in Tehran, Iran. A total of 208 healthcare workers participated in the study. To study general health, exposure to workplace violence, job burnout, and productivity, the general health questionnaire (GHQ), the workplace violence questionnaire, the Maslach burnout questionnaire, and the workforce productivity questionnaire were provided to healthcare workers, respectively. Then, a multiple linear regression model was used to predict violence and its consequences.

RESULTS

The results revealed that 34.1% of the participants have psychological disorders, and 74.5% have experienced one type of violence in their workplace at least once during the past year. The multiple linear regression model results indicated that workplace violence prevalence proved the ability to predict the increase in burnout and decrease in job productivity.

CONCLUSION

Exposure to violence in the workplace significantly increases the risk of mental disorders associated with the risk of mental illness. Therefore, managing exposure to violence in the workplace is a practical step in improving general and mental health and ultimately increasing job productivity in medical settings.

Work-family conflict, burnout, and related factors among nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Northwest of Iran

BACKGROUND

Nurses, as the largest working group in the hospital, experience many problems, conflicts, and stressors in the workplace and family especially after the widespread distribution of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).

OBJECTIVE

The perceived conflict and burnout among nurses, as well as the correlation between these two variables and the associated factors, were the main subjects of this study.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study involved 256 nurses from three COVID-19 referral hospitals in northwest Iran. Participants completed demographic, work-family conflict (WFC), and burnout questionnaires. The nonparametric tests including Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis, and Spearman correlation coefficient were applied to statistical analysis.

RESULTS

The overall score of conflict was 55.3 (12.7). The time dimension received the highest score 11.4 (2.9). In terms of intensity 27.6 (8.7) and frequency 27.6(8.8), nurses had the most burnout in the lack of personal accomplishment dimension. All aspects of WFC, emotional exhaustion, and depersonalization characteristics of burnout had statistically significant positive correlations (p < 0.01). The ward, hospital and employment status variables were associated with WFC (p < 0.05). The association between taking the crisis management course and the severity of depersonalization, and the frequency of lack of personal accomplishment was confirmed (p < 0.01). Additionally, the frequency and severity of emotional exhaustion were associated with employment status and work experiences (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The findings showed that nurses had WFC and burnout rates that were above average. Regarding the negative effects of these two phenomena on health, and also nurse's clinical practices, rearranging work conditions and providing better organizational support seem necessary.

Job demands-resources model and burnout in physical education teaching: A mixed-method sequential explanatory study

BACKGROUND

While literature includes a number of studies about burnout in teaching, investigations on teaching field-specific perspective remain limited. Research is needed to improve practical implications based on structured theoretical models and methodological basis that focusses on the unique environment of PE teaching field and causal factors behind burnout.

OBJECTIVE

The present study aimed to examine burnout among physical education (PE) teachers based on the job demands-resources (J-DR) model.

METHODS

A sequential explanatory mixed design was conducted in the study. 173 teachers replied to questionnaires, of which 14 teachers thereafter participated in semi-structured interviews. Demographic information form, Maslach Burnout Inventory, and J-DR scale for PE teachers were used, as well as an interview form. 173 teachers were first asked to report demographic information, and score Maslach Burnout Inventory and J-DR scale. Then a subsample group (n = 14) was identified/sampled for a semi-structured interview. Canonical correlation and constant comparative analysis were used to unpack the data.

RESULTS

Teachers' states of burnout varied, and physical, organisational, and socio-cultural resources were closely related with burnout levels. Demands that cause pressure on burnout were determined as paperwork and bureaucracy, student-related factors, and pandemic-related experiences. In addition to supporting the general model, specific J-DR factors for PE teaching were observed that is linked with burnout.

CONCLUSION

J-DR factors that might lead to negative conditions in the teaching environment should be considered, and field-specific factors should be focused on through arrangements to increase teaching efficiency and improve the quality of PE teachers' professional life.

Burnout syndrome and related factors among health team employees

BACKGROUND

Burnout is not only related to mental health but also to efficiency. Thus, recognizing effective coping strategies has a significant role in improving mental health, the efficiency and productivity of human resources, and making better the level of quality of service.

OBJECTIVE

To determine burnout syndrome and examine related factors among the employees of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences.

METHOD

This cross-sectional study was conducted among 600 employees at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. They were selected by a stratified sampling method. The data collection tool was the demographic information and the Burnout Self-Test Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) questionnaire. Data were analyzed through SPSS software version 20, using descriptive statistics and independent samples t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson and Spearman regression.

RESULTS

The findings showed that emotional exhaustion (EE) and depersonalization (DP) in the majority of employees were high and personal accomplishment (PA) was low at 88.33% of cases. All participants presented burnout. However, participants aged 35-40 years, those with professional and Ph.D. degrees, and research staff reported higher burnout levels.

CONCLUSION

Job burnout and its subscale levels among the employees were high. Job burnout is associated with socioeconomic status that can be affected by individual, organizational, management, and environmental factors. Therefore, this study suggests that employees need to get out of EE and DP conditions for higher job performance. Additionally, further research is required to examine the long-term effects of workplace burnout.

Assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on nurse practitioners' professional quality of life

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 global pandemic has put health care professionals under immense pressure and hindered their ability to provide quality services.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to examine the professional quality of life (ProQOL) among Georgia nurse practitioners during the COVID-19 global pandemic.

METHODOLOGY

The ProQOL survey was distributed to nurse practitioners in Georgia by the professional organization's listserv. Multiple analysis of variance (ANOVA) analyses were performed to assess differences between employment settings, geographic location, and other relevant demographic qualifiers and levels of compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress.

RESULTS

Hundred nurse practitioners (NPs) (n = 100) responded to the survey. Ninety-one percent were female and ages 25-35 years. Male NPs showed higher rates of compassion fatigue and secondary traumatic stress.

CONCLUSIONS

A ProQOL survey demonstrated increased burnout and secondary traumatic stress among frontline practitioners in Georgia due to increased workloads, feelings of inadequacy, fear of being infected by the virus, and prolonged exposure to deaths.

IMPLICATIONS

Ensuring effective communication, team collaboration, emotional, adequate staffing, and psychological support can help reduce compassion fatigue among NPs.

Burnout and its associated factors among healthcare workers and the general working population in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic: a nationwide cross-sectional internet-based study

OBJECTIVES

To examine the prevalence and the associated factors of burnout among both healthcare workers (HCWs) and the general working population, which has not yet been unknown, using large-scale, nationwide data.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional internet-based study.

SETTING

Nationwide internet survey conducted between 8 and 26 February 2021 in Japan.

PARTICIPANTS

Workers aged 20-64 years. We classified the workers as HCWs and the general working population.

EXPOSURES

Demographic characteristics (age, sex and marital status), socioeconomic status (education, employment and income), health-related, work-related and industry-related factors (smoking, alcohol use, physical and psychiatric comorbidities, working hours, types of healthcare professionals, experience on the COVID-19 frontline and working industries).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Burnout defined as a score of ≥3 points on the Mini-Z Single-Item Burnout Scale.

RESULTS

Of the included 12 650 workers, 1087 were HCWs. After inverse probability weighting on data from the 2016 Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions, burnout in HCWs and the general working population was 33.5% (95% CI 29.2% to 38.0%) and 31.0% (95% CI 29.7% to 32.4%), respectively. In the weighted multivariable modified Poisson regression models, working 60 hours or more was associated with burnout in all workers (HCWs: prevalence ratio (PR) 2.52, 95% CI 1.68 to 3.76; general population: PR 1.26, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.48). Widowed/separated compared with married was associated with burnout only among HCWs (PR 1.69, 95% CI 1.16 to 2.47), whereas presence of physical or psychiatric comorbidities was associated with burnout among the general working population (PR 1.14, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.28; and PR 1.65, 95% CI 1.45 to 1.87, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Burnout was prevalent in both HCWs and the general working population in Japan. Both common and specific risk factors were observed. Our findings highlight the need for the general workplace policy and targeted interventions for burnout prevention.

Assessing relational coordination and its impact on perceived mental health of students, teachers and staff in a clinical skills program during the COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND

The global spread of the COVID-19 virus caused unprecedented interruptions in medical education. This paper evaluates Relational Coordination (RC): communicating and relating for task integration; between the distinct stakeholders responsible for scheduling,delivering and receiving clinical teaching in the wake of the pandemic.

METHODOLOGY

Using a cross-sectional design, the level of Relational Coordination was assessed between twelve groups within a Clinical Skills Program at a Medical School in the United Arab Emirates. It also measures three relevant mental health factors: namely, Job satisfaction, Work Engagement, and Burnout.

RESULTS

Overall, RC scores were moderate (3.65 out of 5.00). Controlling for participants' position, RC was found to positively and significantly increase both job satisfaction (β = 1.10, p < 0.001) and work engagement (β = 0.78, p < 0.01)., Additionally, RC was significantly associated with lower burnout (β = -0.56, p = 0.05). Fifty percent of participants experienced high job satisfaction, with a mean score of 5.0 out of 7.0, while 73% reported being enthusiastic about their job, with a mean score of 6.0 out of 7.0. About a third of participants (27%) reported feeling burnout.

CONCLUSIONS

During times of disruption and crisis, medical education can benefit from higher levels of relational coordination. Our study shows the significant impact of relational coordination on mental health measures like job satisfaction and work engagement. To achieve the full potential and benefits of excellent levels of relational coordination in this program, we recommend six interventions focusing on improving communication, work processes, regular meetings, education innovations, capacity building, and the establishment of coaching and counseling programs for students and faculty.

The Impact of Burnout Syndrome on Job Satisfaction among Emergency Department Nurses of Emergency Clinical County Hospital "Sfântul Apostol Andrei" of Galati, Romania

Background and Objectives: Burnout syndrome is caused by a number of factors, including personal, organizational, and professional problems. Data from the literature reported a strong relationship between burnout syndrome and job satisfaction among emergency medical personnel. Materials and Methods: We studied a sample of 80 nurses working in the Emergency Department of Emergency Clinical County Hospital "Sfântul Apostol Andrei" of Galati Romania. Participants signed an informed consent and then completed a socio-demographic questionnaire and the MBI-HSS (Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey) questionnaire to assess the level of burnout and JSS (Job Satisfaction Survey) to assess the level of professional satisfaction. The aim of this study was to measure the levels of burnout and satisfaction among nurses in the Emergency Department as well as the relationship between these two variables and a group of selected socio-demographic characteristics. Results: This study found that 36.25% of nurses reported a high level of burnout. Additionally, emotional exhaustion is directly proportional to professional experience and age. Participants also reported a sense of ambivalence and satisfaction with the workplace, but were satisfied with the nature of their work. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest the relationship between variables and this could be used to implement psychoactive intervention strategies at both individual and organizational levels, which could lead to a decrease in burnout levels. Burnout is a predictor of job satisfaction for Emergency Department nurses. Personal achievement was relatively commensurate with the nature of the work. Additionally, the increase in burnout among nurses is directly proportional to the nature of the work.

[Socio-labor conditions and psychological burnout in workers during the pandemic. A comparative study]

BACKGROUND

The pandemic derived from COVID-19 has caused a great impact in all the contexts in wich the human being operates, including the labor context. Multiple studies have shown the influence that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on both public and private organizations. From this derives the importance of assessings the real work context of the Mexican population in times of pandemic and the factors that are related to the appearance of psychological exhaustion.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the sociocultural conditions and the presence of psychological exhaustion in workers of government institutions and individuals in southern Jalisco during the COVID-19 pandemic.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This is a cross-sectional descriptive correlational study, with a non-probabilistic sample of two organizations; one of a public governmental nature and another private of a food business. The dependent variable was psychological exhaustion addressed through instrument 4 of the CTCPS-MAC battery.

RESULTS

Significant differences were identified between both companies in two of the three factors that make up psychological exhaustion, in the cognitive-emotional response factor (z = -3.920, p < 0.05) and in the physiological response factor (z = -31.982, p < 0.05) the employees of the private company are considered more vulnerable.

CONCLUSIONS

The levels of general psychological exhaustion are higher in the workers of private companies, as well as in the dimensions that comprise it.

Multispecialty Physician Online Survey Reveals That Burnout Related to Adverse Event Involvement May Be Mitigated by Peer Support

OBJECTIVES

Involvement in adverse events can negatively impact physician well-being. Because burnout is increasingly recognized as a threat to patient safety, we examined the relationship between physician adverse event involvement and burnout as well as facilitators and barriers to support among physicians experiencing burnout.

METHODS

We surveyed physicians in the United States who are members of the networking platform, Doximity. We conducted quantitative and qualitative analyses investigating experiences with adverse events, the impact of adverse events, the type of support the physician sought and received after the event, and burnout.

RESULTS

Across specialties, involvement in an adverse event and burnout was common. Most respondents involved in an adverse event experienced emotional impact, but only a minority received support. Those reporting that the error resulted in emotional impact were more likely to experience burnout (adjusted odds ratio, 1.90; 95% confidence interval, 1.18-3.07); this association was mitigated by the most common form of support sought, peer support (adjusted odds ratio for burnout among those who received peer support versus those who did not, 0.65; 95% confidence interval, 0.52-0.82). Barriers to support after an adverse event include punitive culture and systems factors such as administrative bureaucracy. Facilitators that emerged include peer, professional, and spiritual support, mentorship, helping others, the learning environment, and improved/flexible working hours.

CONCLUSIONS

Physicians who experienced emotional repercussions from adverse events were more likely to report burnout compared with those who did not. Respondents proposed barriers and facilitators to support that have not been widely implemented. Peer support may help mitigate physician burnout related to adverse events.

[Work engagement and burnout syndrome in a secondary care level during the COVID pandemic in Mexico, 2021]

BACKGROUND

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was declared a pandemic on March 11, 2020. The health personnel were the first line of action, so detecting the presence of burnout and work engagement allows us to have an overview of the perspective on the work environment of these workers.

OBJECTIVE

To identify the presence of high levels of work engagement and burnout in COVID-19 response teams (RT) during the COVID-19 pandemic in a secondary care level.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Cross-sectional, descriptive, and observational, discretionary study. Data from 156 workers belonging to the COVID-19 RT were collected. It was administered a survey-type instrument, which collected sociodemographic data, as well as the UWES-9 and the MBI-HSS scales. Data analysis was performed with measures of central tendency and inferential statistics.

RESULTS

High levels of work engagement were identified in 55.1% of the COVID-19 RT members, while the high levels of burnout were 3.2%.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of work engagement was higher than burnout, but this did not imply protection against exhaustion.

Relationship between interprofessional teamwork and nurses' intent to leave work: The mediating role of job satisfaction and burnout

BACKGROUND

Reducing nurse turnover is a top priority for nursing management globally. While evidence has demonstrated that working in a favorable environment with greater interprofessional teamwork is essential in increasing nurse retention, few studies have explored the mechanism underlying this relationship.

AIM

To examine the direct and indirect effects of interprofessional teamwork on nurses' intentions to leave their jobs via the intermediary roles of job satisfaction and burnout.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted to collect data from 2113 nurses working in 21 hospitals in Oman. Data were collected using a survey questionnaire measuring teamwork, job satisfaction, burnout, and intention to leave. Logistic regression was used to investigate the direct effect of teamwork on intent to leave. A sequential mediation model was conducted to examine the mediating role of job satisfaction and burnout.

RESULTS

Interprofessional teamwork was directly associated with nurses' intentions to leave. The influence of teamwork on intention to leave was indirectly mediated by both job satisfaction and job burnout.

CONCLUSION

Findings illustrate the potential benefits of enhancing interprofessional teamwork in reducing nurses' intentions to leave. Interventions intended to foster teamwork could create satisfying workplaces, reduce perceived burnout, and ultimately contribute to organizational strategy for reducing nursing shortages.

From the inside: Dancing between burnout and engagement in a prison

Objectives:

Professionals who work in prisons present high levels of chronic stress that affect their daily performance and health. The incorporation of training workshops on emotional regulation and stress coping strategies from a psycho-body approach could have a positive impact on their well-being. This article presents an exploratory study that analyzes chronic stress, emotional repertoire and body awareness, of a sample of 15 professionals from a prison, together with the effect produced by an intervention through training workshops with Dance Movement Therapy.

Material and method:

A mixed methodology with a pretest-posttest design was used. The variables of burnout, engagement, emotional repertoire and body awareness were measured. With the information obtained from a participatory focus group, a six-hour body awareness program was designed and implemented, during which participants completed reflective diaries for subsequent analysis.

Results:

High levels of stress and low body awareness were found. Qualitative analysis generated evidence for improvements in body awareness and the incorporation of coping strategies based on listening to body sensations and emotional regulation. Pre-post test analysis for a subsample (n = 4) of the total showed improvements in different subscales, not statistically significant, but with medium effect sizes.

Discussion:

Despite the limitations of the study, the results are promising. The participants value the workshop very positively and consider having incorporated tools to cope with work stress.

The Key to R-E-S-P-E-C-T Is Human-Centred Design

Disrespect and burnout are long-standing systemic issues causing nurses to leave the profession at an alarming rate. Human-centred design offers a fresh approach to tackling this challenge and recognizes that the journey to discover what is important to nurses is just as meaningful as the destination. Leveraging "inside/outside" expertise and individuals with advanced training in creative problem solving, nurse leaders are empowered to adopt a beginner's mindset and openly explore the challenge. Leading with empathy and engaging with authenticity allows for a deeper understanding of the problem. This understanding opens a path to co-design solutions that enhance nurses' feelings of respect.

Burnout in surgeons: A qualitative investigation into contributors and potential solutions

BACKGROUND

Poor wellbeing affects the performance of all types of workers. Surgeons are particularly at risk of suffering from burnout, but minimal qualitative research has examined the causes of burnout and potential solutions in this group. Understanding this could inform the development of future burnout interventions.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to explore the main factors that lead to surgeon burnout and to examine how surgeons cope with burnout at work.

SETTING

Surgical departments in the United Kingdom's National Health Service (NHS).

MATERIALS

Telephone interview and face-to-face interview.

METHODS

This qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with 14 surgeons from diverse specialisations. The interview consisted of two sections. The first addressed the main reasons for burnout. The second explored how surgeons manage burnout.

RESULTS

A thematic analysis identified several factors that can lead to surgeon burnout, captured in the themes of: rising to the challenge of surgical work; interpersonal conflict at work; greater demands than resources; the challenge of work-life balance; and the devastating impact of errors and poor patient outcomes. The study also revealed various strategies that surgeons employed to cope with burnout, namely: cognitive restructuring; seeking social support; stepping aside or down from the job; and prioritising personal health. Additionally, the study found some surgeons used maladaptive coping.

CONCLUSION

Healthcare organisations, surgeons, and psychological experts should work together to provide more and improved interventions to help surgeons, which might lead to a reduction in the number of surgeons who leave the profession and help improve patient outcomes.

Burnout and Resilience among Emergency Physicians at Korean University Hospitals during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

PURPOSE

This study aimed to investigate burnout and resilience among emergency physicians (EPs) at university teaching hospitals during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In April to May 2021, a survey was administered to 331 and 309 emergency medicine specialists and residents, respectively, from 31 university teaching hospitals in Korea. Data on the respondents' age, sex, designation, working area, experience with treating COVID-19 patients, and personal experience with COVID-19 were collected. Based on the participants' characteristics, quality of life (compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress), resilience, emotional content, and self-image were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 247 responses were analyzed. Compared to specialists, compassion satisfaction and resilience in residents were not good, burnout was severe, and emotional content and self-image were less positive. Experiences with treating COVID-19 patients did not cause any difference in quality of life, resilience, emotional content, and self-image among participant subgroups. Personal COVID-19 experiences were associated with poor compassion satisfaction, resilience, less positive emotional content and self-image, and severe burnout. Compassion satisfaction, secondary traumatic stress, and resilience can definitively affect burnout.

CONCLUSION

The quality of life and resilience of EPs in university teaching hospitals in Korea during the COVID-19 pandemic have been low. Supportive measures to improve resilience can prevent burnout among emergency staff, particularly residents and EPs, with personal experiences related to COVID-19.

Professionalism: COVID-19 made me do it!

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

COVID-19 pandemic has created profound ethical challenges, not only for clinical decision-making but also for defining physician professional conduct.

RECENT FINDINGS

Multiple ethical questions arose as the COVID-19 pandemic ravaged globally, including physician obligations in a pandemic, allotment of personal protective equipment, care of unvaccinated patients, discern between evidence-based and unreliable information, addressing end-of-life wishes, implications of involving medical students in a public health crisis, and finally physician burnout aggravated by a pandemic.

SUMMARY

There is a need to redefine existing medical professionalism standards so that future healthcare professionals are well prepared to deal with similar public health crisis.

Burnout in anaesthesiology residents: A systematic review of its prevalence and stressors

BACKGROUND

Burnout is an occupational hazard precipitated by chronic exposure to excessive work-related stress. It can have negative impacts on the health and safety of patients and clinicians. Anaesthesiologists are at a high risk of burnout; anaesthetic residents especially may experience higher levels of stress as a result of training requirements and postgraduate examinations. However, the scale of burnout among anaesthesiology residents is not well evaluated.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the prevalence of burnout and identify risk factors contributing to it among anaesthesiology residents worldwide and evaluate preventive strategies at institutional and departmental levels.

DESIGN

A systematic review without meta-analysis.

DATA SOURCES

We searched PubMed, Embase, Scopus and PsycInfo for English language articles published up to 24 May 2021.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

The inclusion criteria for qualitative analysis were a reported burnout prevalence in anaesthesiology residents and the use of an assessment tool. Exclusion criteria were reviews/meta-analyses/correspondence, non-English articles, articles without anaesthesiology residents and lacking information on burnout prevalence and metrics for assessment.

RESULTS

Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria; seven studies utilised the 22-item Maslach Burnout Inventory Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS) and five utilised the abbreviated Maslach Burnout Inventory (aMBI). The reported burnout prevalence among anaesthesiology residents varied between 2.7 and 67.0% (median = 24.7%). Differences in burnout criteria contributed significantly to methodological heterogeneity. Factors predisposing to burnout included long working hours, poor workplace relationships, professional examinations and adverse clinical events. Protected rest time and restricted work hours were identified as effective strategies to prevent burnout. Other preventive strategies include mindfulness and resilience courses, as well as departmental initiatives such as exercise.

CONCLUSION

Burnout is common amongst anaesthesiology residents. Standardised tools and diagnostic criteria are needed to distinguish methodological heterogeneity from true heterogeneity in study populations. Interventions have been proposed to improve management strategies to minimise burnout anaesthesiology residents.

PROSPERO REFERENCE

CRD42019140472.