ABSTRACT
Introduction: Junior doctors have reported high levels of burnout and additional stressors emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic may further accelerate burnout. There is a need to identify which stressors are most likely to lead to burnout in order to develop appropriate interventions. This project therefore aims to compile a comprehensive list of stressors relevant to junior doctors and assesses which stressors are most strongly associated with burnout. Materials and Methods: An anonymous online questionnaire was sent in July 2020 to 1000 randomly selected junior doctors in the North West of England. It included 37 questions on general and pandemic specific stressors and the Maslach Burnout Inventory Health Services Survey. Stepwise regression analysis was undertaken to explore associations between stressors and burnout. Results and Conclusions: In total, 326 responses were received. Six of the 10 highest rated stressors were specific to the pandemic. Fatigue (β=0.43), pandemic-related workload increase (β=0.33) and feeling isolated (β=0.24) had the strongest associations with Emotional Exhaustion. Fatigue (β=0.24), uncertainty around COVID-19 information (β=0.22) and doing unfulfilling tasks (β =0.22) had the strongest associations with Depersonalisation. Lacking in ability (β=-0.24) and not feeling valued (β=-0.20) had the strongest associations with Personal Accomplishment. In conclusion, junior doctors reported a combination of general and pandemic-specific stressors that significantly impact burnout. Monitoring these stressors and targeting them as part of interventions could help mitigate burnout in junior doctors.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: A rapid management referral pathway was established by a private UK occupational health (OH) provider to offer assessments and advice on managing individual risk relating to Covid-19 in the workplace. AIMS: The aim of this service evaluation was to assess the utilization and effectiveness of the pathway in supporting referrers during a pandemic. METHODS: Referrals between March-August 2020 were analysed by date and industry to assess service utilization. A survey was sent to a convenience sample of referrers throughout this period, requesting feedback on whether the report led to a change in how the worker was managed, and whether it increased referrer confidence in managing the worker. RESULTS: Five hundred and seventy referrals were made, predominantly from wholesale and retail; professional, scientific and technical; and food and drink production. There was a small peak of referrals from manufacturing in April and a larger peak in July-August from wholesale and retail, and food and drink production. Of 166 surveys sent, 58 were completed (35% response rate). In 71% of cases, referrers indicated that the report led to change in how the worker was managed, and in 86% of cases, referrers reported being more confident in managing the worker. CONCLUSIONS: The pathway was well-utilized. OH assessments and advice have an important role to play in a pandemic, with useful impact on how workers are managed and how confident managers feel in managing workers.