Burnout and its predictors during pandemic in health workers from South-East European countries

Introduction. Workplace factors during COVID-19 pandemic impose significant risk to occupational health in health workers (HWs). This cross-sectional study analyzes associations of burnout with job demands/resources among HWs and compares findings between 12 South-East European (SEE) countries during the pandemic. Methods. The actual on-line survey was conducted during autumn 2020 by SEE Network on Workers' Health (SEENWH) with SEE Health Network. Job demands and burnout were measured by Hospital Experience Scale and Maslach Burnout Inventory. Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture and the English version of the Questionnaire sur les Ressources et Contraintes Professionnelles were used for job resources assessment. Total sample involved 4.621 HWs (78.4% females, aged 43.7±10.7 yrs, tenure 18.8±11.4 yrs) from SEE countries. Ethical issues of the study were approved by SEENWH. Results. Data showed significant differences in emotional exhaustion between SEE countries: Albania 21.7, Bosnia and Herzegovina 21.9, Bulgaria 23.8, Croatia 23.7, Israel 13, Moldova 22.9, Montenegro 22.4, RN Macedonia 24.1, Romania 18.2, Serbia 20.1, Turkey 20.4 (Welch F = 17.98, p<0.001). Cross-country differences were also registered in job demands/resources. Regression models, controlling for gender, age, tenure, working hours/week, night shifts, showed job demands (R2=.37, ΔR2=.35) and job resources (R2=.18, ΔR2=.16) as significant predictors of emotional exhaustion. Conclusion. There is an urgent need for implementation of country-specific preventive measures towards burnout prevention and improvement of work ability in HWs during pandemic.

The relationship between job demands, job engagements, and burnout among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

INTRODUCTION: The Covid-19 pandemic has placed unprecedented psychosocial pressure on healthcare workers. Despite this, this study has assessed the relationship between job demands, job engagements, and burnout among healthcare workers and compared findings between countries. METHODS: This cross-sectional self-reported online survey among 1266 HCWs (78% females, aged 42.9±10.8 years) from RN Macedonia, Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina during 2020 was carried out. The following study questionnaires: MBI, the Hospital Experience Scale, the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture, and QRCP the Questionnaire Sur Les Ressources et Contraintes Professionnelles were used. All examinees per job contacts divide into three groups: those who had no COVID-19 positive contact, self-isolated patients, and only positive COVID-19 patients. RESULTS: Comparison findings indicated a high level of burnout in each country without significant differences (the mean of EE in Croatia was 23.70, in RN Macedonia 24.08, and B&H 21.88;and mean of DP in Croatia 6.75: in RN Macedonia 6.28: in B&H 5.98, P>0.05 ), and insufficient number of HCWs, too. In an inversion, they were HCWS with the lowest level of dedication to work tasks than others. There was a significant correlation between job dissatisfaction and: EE (0.534, P<0.000), DP (0.535, P<0.000), and night working shift (0.299, P<0.000). CONCLUSION: It is necessary to provide a sufficient number of HCWS, reduce night working and psycho- support, and strengthen job satisfaction among HCWS who have only contact with COVID 19 patients.

Personal protective equipment in health workers during coronavirus disease-19 outbreak

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus (CoV) disease (COVID)-19 pandemic has put immense pressure on the healthcare systems worldwide. AIM: The aim of the actual study was to assess the availability of personal protective equipment (PPE) in health workers (HWs) during an outbreak. METHODS: The study was conducted in April-May 2020 using an on-line questionnaire. Completed surveys were returned by 560 HWs (297 physicians, 79 nurses/technicians, 78 dentists, 9 pharmacists, and 97 other HWs). RESULTS: High proportion of HWs was using one surgery mask for two or more times or not using it at all when contacting patients who were self-isolated (35.3%) or severe acute respiratory syndrome CoV (SARS-CoV)-2 positive (19.3%). More than 90% of participants were using surgery masks and gloves every time or almost every time while working with patients who were self-isolated or SARS-CoV-2 positive. High frequency of participants reported: No isolation zones at the workplace (61.2%), no triage of patients at the entrance (33.4%), and not attended a training course about the correct usage of PPE (72%). CONCLUSION: The data obtained can be used in the creation of specific interventions in healthcare settings aimed at providing high-quality PPE through the development of a national healthcare strategy that can lead to the prevention of COVID-19 in HWs. © 2020 Dragan Mijakoski, Sasho Stoleski, Dragana Bislimovska, Elena Pazheska-Dimitrioski, Elizabeta Karasmanakis, Jordan Minov, Jovanka Karadzinska-Bislimovska.