Evaluation of Stress and Burnout Levels of Healthcare Professionals Working in COVID-19 Services

Abstract

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic started in Wuhan Province of China in December 2019 and has affected the whole world in a short time. During the pandemic period, healthcare professionals have to work at a very busy pace both with increased workload and at a risk of contamination. This study was conducted to evaluate the stress and burnout levels of healthcare professionals working in COVID-19 services. Method: Maslach Burnout Inventory and Perceived Stress Scale were used as the data collection tools. The scores obtained from the scales were compared according to demographic characteristics such as gender, profession, marital status, having children, people lived together and presence of a chronic disease. SPSS packaged software was used for the analysis of data. Results: It was found that while emotional burnout levels of the nurses were higher, the depersonalization levels of health technicians were lower. Emotional burnout and stress levels of the women were higher than those of men. It was seen that stress levels of those with a chronic disease were higher. Emotional burnout, depersonalization and stress levels of healthcare professionals who were tested for COVID-19 disease were higher. Personal accomplishment scores of those who were working voluntarily in COVID-19 services were higher. Conclusion: It was concluded that the healthcare professionals with high stress and burnout levels had high levels of stress and burnout levels during COVID-19 Pandemic due to reasons such as the disease transmission risk and increased workload.