Burnout in Healthcare Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic

ABSTRACT

Background: Burnout in healthcare providers (HCPs) can also impact their families, patients, and the healthcare system as a whole. The Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic has had an extraordinary impact on the health care system and on HCPs. The current study examined its association with potential burnout. Methods: An internet survey was mailed to HCPs in the United States (US) and Turkey who agreed to participate. Participants completed demographic and work- related information and the shortened version of the Pines’ Burnout Scale. Chi-Square was utilized for most analyses. Results: Rates of burnout were related to age, with the youngest workers (<35 years) having the highest rate (67.2%) and the older workers (>55 years) having the lowest rate (41.2%;χ2 =15.3, P< 0.001). Women reported higher rates of burnout (67.6%) than men (51.6%, OR=1.96, 95% CI 1.47-2.62, p< 0.001). Frontline workers (in emergency rooms or intensive care units) (70.4% vs. 58.7%, χ2 5.6, p=0.017) and those involved in COVID-19 care (66.7% vs. 55.5%;OR 1.6, %95 CI 1.1 to 2.1, p=0.002) reported significantly higher burnout rates than others. Burnout rates were significantly lower when workers believed their employer was taking proper precautions to protect employees from COVID-19 (48.0% vs. 74.5%, OR 3.1, %95 CI 2.3 to 4.2, p< 0.001). HCPs in Turkey were twice as likely to experience burnout than HCPs from the US (OR=1.95, 95% CI 1.29-2.95). [ FROM AUTHOR]