SARS/MERS/SARS-CoV-2 Outbreaks and Burnout Syndrome among Healthcare Workers. An Umbrella Systematic Review.

Nicola Magnavita,Emiliano Santacroce,Francesco Chirico,Sergio Garbarino,Salvatore Zaffina,Nicola Luigi Bragazzi

doi:10.3390/ijerph18084361

Abstract

The coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) pandemic is putting a severe strain on all healthcare systems. Several occupational risk factors are challenging healthcare workers (HCWs) who are at high risk of mental health outcomes, including Burnout Syndrome (BOS). BOS is a psychological syndrome characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and low personal accomplishment. An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses concerning BOS and coronavirus (SARS/MERS/SARS-CoV-2) outbreaks was carried out on PubMed Central/Medline, Cochrane Library, PROSPERO, and Epistemonikos databases. Data relating to COVID-19 is insufficient, but in previous SARS and MERS outbreaks about one-third of HCWs manifested BOS. This prevalence rate is similar to the figure recorded in some categories of HCWs exposed to chronic occupational stress and poor work organization during non-epidemic periods. Inadequate organization and worsening working conditions during an epidemic appear to be the most likely causes of BOS. Preventive care and workplace health promotion programs could be useful for protecting healthcare workers during pandemics, as well as during regular health activities.

Highlights

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic resulting from the new SARS-CoV-2 virus has exposed healthcare workers (HCWs) to overwhelming pressure
One study conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic in HCWs was excluded because Burnout Syndrome (BOS) was not included among the psychological outcomes
Studies conducted during the SARS and MERS epidemics find confirmation in the first observations conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic: a significant share of HCWs can develop BOS

Summary

Introduction

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic resulting from the new SARS-CoV-2 virus has exposed healthcare workers (HCWs) to overwhelming pressure. 2021, the COVID-19 integrated surveillance data in Italy, carried out by the National Health. Institute, indicated that there have been 123,025 cases among HCWs since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, accounting for 4.2% of the total number of cases registered in the country [2]. 81 deaths were reported among Italian nurses [3] and 326 among doctors [4]. A systematic literature search found that, as of 8 May 2020, more than 152,000 infections and 1413 deaths in HCWs had been reported, worldwide. 70% of the infections were in women, with nurses accounting for almost 40% of the total, whereas mortality occurred mainly in men (70.8%), with doctors accounting for 51.4% of.

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion