Assessing burnout and mental health of respiratory high care unit (RHCU) staff two years into the Covid-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT

During the pandemic, our hospital established a RHCU to provide level 2 care for patients with severe Covid-19. Mortality rate was 54% over the first year. We designed a questionnaire around Patient Health Questionnaire-9 to assess the emotional impact upon our workforce. We also evaluated burnout, using the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory.Staff retrospectively rated their pre-pandemic mental health (Feb 2020) and current mental health (Jan 2022). 60 questionnaires were circulated with 83% completed.Doctors encompassed 28% of respondents, nurses 38%, HCAs 18%, and 16% were other clinical and administrative staff. 62% had worked on RHCU for ≥12 months.72% felt their mental health had deteriorated. 94% reported their physical health had been negatively impacted.In Jan 2022, 51% reported feeling depressed, 71% anxious, 46% tearful and 69% irritable, half the time or more. All figures had increased ≥2 fold compared to pre-pandemic levels.The pandemic has affected personal life too, showing a 3.6 fold increase in strain on personal relationships compared to pre-pandemic. 70% reported difficulty with sleep pattern.Worryingly, 71% scored high/very high using the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory. Levels of burnout were notably increased in junior doctors (88%) and staff nurses (89%), demonstrating high/very high levels of burnout. 75% of junior doctors and 56% of staff nurses were unsure or would not continue in their current role. These figures are incredibly concerning, considering that junior doctors and staff nurses make up one third of RHCU staff.Our results highlight the need for urgent intervention for RHCU staff to prevent further burnout and improve mental health.