The Relation of Depression, Stress, Anxiety, and Burnout among Healthcare Workers during the Second Wave of COVID-19 Pandemic in India

Abstract

Objectives The COVID-19 outbreak has taken a significant toll on frontline workers globally, resulting in psychological stress, burnout, and mental exhaustion. This online-based cross-sectional study aimed to explore the relationship between depression, anxiety, stress, and burnout among healthcare workers (HCWs) providing direct care to COVID-19 patients in the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in India. Material and Methods The sample size comprised HCWs who met specific inclusion criteria and had completed at least 1 week of posting in COVID-19 units and provided informed consent to participate. Data were collected using semi-structured socio-demographic Proforma, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 items (DASS-21), and the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI)-19 items. Results Out of 137 participants, 68.6% had moderate and 15.3% had severe depression; 48.9% had moderate and 24.1% had severe anxiety; and 3.6% had extremely severe anxiety. The prevalence of severe and extremely severe stress was 46.7 and 6.6%, respectively. The subscales of the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory, personal and work-related burnout had a positive correlation with all the subscales of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 items, while client-related burnout only correlated with the stress subscale. Conclusion The high prevalence of burnout and other mental health problems in the healthcare workers during the pandemic necessitate the need for the healthcare system to provide psychological support and interventions for physicians working during the pandemic.