Burnout in emergency department personnel—A continuing concern post pandemic

Abstract

AbstractIntroductionHigh incidences of burnout has been reported amongst emergency department (ED) personnel during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Emerging from the pandemic, organisational support for psychological health may dwindle and become secondary to economic priorities. We aimed to ascertain the level of burnout within ED staff at our hospital, identify professional groups, which were more vulnerable and domains, which contributed most towards burnout.MethodsWe conducted a cross‐sectional study approximately 8 months after major moves to remove COVID‐19 restrictions in Singapore. Data was collected via a self‐administered survey employing the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI). Demographics, occupational details, work satisfaction and motivation to stay in the job were also collected and analysed.ResultsA total of 115 ED staff participated. Overall CBI score was 62.3 ± 22.0. Scores for personal, work‐related and client burnout were 64.9 ± 23.2, 61.6 ± 23.1 and 60.4 ± 26.1, respectively. A total of 44.5% had to take medical leave because of burnout. Nurses had higher overall CBI scores than doctors (67.5 ± 20.5 vs. 54.6 ± 23.0, p = 0.01). Those who were satisfied with their present job had lower overall CBI scores compared to those not satisfied (42.7 ± 17.9 vs. 84.0 ± 14.4, p < 0.001). Overall CBI scores were also lower in those motivated compared with those not motivated to continue in their current job (50.1 ± 16.3 vs. 79.0 ± 15.1, p < 0.001).ConclusionED staff continue to record high rates of burnout as we transit out of the pandemic. Accompanying rates of medical leave and low levels of motivation to remain in the job are serious occupational health concerns. Factors contributing to burnout in at risk groups such as nurses should be further analysed. High mean CBI scores in the personal and work domains indicate that related factors contribute most towards burnout and interventions should be focused accordingly.