Sick leave and occupational burnout among nurses caring for patients with multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Sick leave is a common problem among healthcare professionals. Nurses play a critical role in the multidisciplinary management of multiple sclerosis (MS). However, limited information is available on the phenomenon of sick leave among MS nurses. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the presence of sick leave among nurses caring for patients with MS and to identify associated factors. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter, non-interventional, cross-sectional, web-based study. Nurses involved in MS care from across Spain answered a survey composed of demographic characteristics, professional background, questions about their standard practice, and a behavioral battery including the Maslach Burnout Inventory - Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS). A multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the association between nurses' characteristics and sick leave. RESULTS: Ninety-six nurses were included in the study. Mean age (SD) was 44.6 (9.8) years, and 91.7% were female. Participants had a median of 6 (IQR 3.0, 11.0) years of expertise in MS managing a median of 15 (5.0, 35.0) patients per week. Sixteen participants (16.7%) had been on sick leave in the last 6 months, with a median absence of 14.5 days (7.0, 30.0). Sixteen nurses (16.7%) reported severe burnout. Participants on sick leave had higher levels of emotional exhaustion (mean MBI-HSS scores of 22.3 and 16.0, p=0.01) and inadequate interactions with their colleagues (mean Practice Environment Scale - Nursing Work Index scores of 11.8 and 13.1, p=0.01) than their counterparts. Burnout was associated with higher risk of sick leave in the multivariable analysis (OR=1.06 [95% CI 1.00, 1.13], p=0.04) after adjustment for confounders. CONCLUSIONS: Occupational burnout is associated with increased risk of sick leave among nurses managing patients with MS. Identifying burnout may be critical for implementing specific intervention strategies to maintain an adequate functioning of MS care units.

Preferences Toward Attributes of Disease-Modifying Therapies: The Role of Nurses in Multiple Sclerosis Care.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Nurses play an essential role in coordinating the care of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) throughout their disease trajectory in a complex treatment landscape. The aim of this study was to assess nurses' preferences toward different disease-modifying therapy attributes. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter, noninterventional, cross-sectional study in collaboration with the Sociedad Española de Enfermería Neurológica. Nurses actively involved in MS care were invited to participate in the study. Prevention of disability progression, preservation of cognitive function, side effect profile and safety monitoring, and method of administration were the treatment attributes tested. Conjoint analysis was used to assess preferences in 8 simulated treatment options and rank them from most to least preferred. RESULTS: A total of 98 nurses were included in the study. The mean (SD) age was 44.7 (9.8) years, and 91.8% were female with a mean (SD) time of experience in MS care of 7.5 (5.4) years. Participants prioritized preservation of cognition (38.6%), followed by preventing disability progression (35.2%) and side effect risk and safety monitoring (13.5%). Route and frequency of administration were the least preferred attributes (7.4% and 5.3%, respectively). Estimated utilities were consistent across the sample according to sociodemographic and professional practice characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Nurses' preferences toward treatments were mainly driven by efficacy attributes. This information may support the role of nurses in the multidisciplinary management of MS facilitating shared decision making.