Lower Levels Of Emotional Exhaustion Research Articles

Prevalence and risk of burnout among HIV service providers in South Africa and Zambia: findings from the HPTN 071 (PopART) trial

BackgroundIn the high disease burden and resource-constrained contexts of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), health workers experience a range of psychosocial stressors that leave them vulnerable to developing burnout, which can reduce service quality and negatively impact their own health and wellbeing. As universal testing and treatment (UTT) for HIV scales up across SSA, we sought to understand the implications of this human resource-intensive approach to HIV prevention to inform decision-making about health workforce staffing and support needs.MethodsUsing the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS), we assessed the prevalence of three domains of burnout—emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment—among three cadres of health workers delivering health services in areas receiving a UTT intervention in Zambia and South Africa. These cadres included health facility workers (n = 478), community health workers (n = 159), and a study-specific cadre of community HIV care providers (n = 529). We used linear regression to assess risk factors associated with emotional exhaustion, the only domain with sufficient variation in our sample.ResultsThe MBI-HSS was completed by 1499/2153 eligible participants (69.6% response rate). Less than 1% of health workers met Maslach’s definition for burnout. All groups of health workers reported lower levels of emotional exhaustion than found in previous studies of this type (mean score scores ranged from 10.7 to 15.4 out of 54 across health cadres). Higher emotional exhaustion was associated with higher educational attainment (βadj = 2.24, 95% CI 0.76 to 3.72), greater years providing HIV services (βadj = 0.20, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.36), and testing negative for HIV at last HIV test (βadj = − 3.88 − 95% CI 5.69 to − 2.07). Working as a CHW was significantly associated with lower emotional exhaustion (βadj = − 2.52, 95% CI − 4.69 to − 0.35). Among all health workers, irrespective of HIV status, witnessing stigmatizing behaviors towards people living with HIV among their co-workers was associated with significantly increased emotional exhaustion (βadj = 3.38, 95% CI 1.99 to 4.76).ConclusionsThe low level of burnout detected among health workers is reassuring. However, it remains important to assess how UTT may affect levels of emotional exhaustion among health workers over time, particularly in the context of emerging global pandemics, as burnout may impact the quality of HIV services they provide and their own mental health and wellbeing. Interventions to reduce HIV stigma in health facilities may protect against emotional exhaustion among health workers, as well as interventions to increase mindfulness and resilience among health workers at risk of burnout.Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT01900977.

Job burnout and anxiety among medical staff: A latent profile and moderated mediation analysis

BackgroundDue to work pressure, work intensity, and the impact of emergencies such as the epidemic, job burnout and mental health problems among medical staff have become increasingly prominent. ObjectivesOur study aims to characterize the patterns of burnout in Chinese medical staff, explore the profile differences on anxiety and self-esteem, examine whether the differences in these profiles on anxiety were mediated by self-esteem, and investigate whether this mediating process was moderated by positive coping styles among medical staff. MethodsData were collected from 602 medical staff in China by a convenient sampling method. A latent profile and moderated mediation analysis were performed. ResultsLatent profile analysis on three burnout dimensions [emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and professional efficacy] indicated two burnout profiles: low burnout (82.47% of the sample) and high burnout (17.53%). Medical staff with a low burnout profile had lower levels of emotional exhaustion and cynicism than those with a high burnout profile. It was also determined that self-esteem mediates burnout and anxiety in both high- and low-burnout medical staff. The moderating role of positive coping styles was also identified (β = 0.30, 95%CI: 0.058–0.550). ConclusionsThe identification of two distinct burnout patterns (low burnout and high burnout) provides clinical administrators with clear goals for individualizing support and interventions for medical staff with different levels of burnout. Furthermore, attention should be given to self-esteem and positive coping styles, as they act as potential mediators and moderators of medical staff's mental health problems.

Insights Into Mental Health, Lifestyle Patterns, and Academic Attitudes among Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Medical students are more likely to be affected by mental health conditions due to their academic pressure. So, it is very important to have up-to-date information about it. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 406 randomly selected medical students. Participants gave informed verbal consent, and data collection was done through face-to-face interviews. Quality control measures were in place, and data confidentiality was ensured. Participants had the right to withdraw without providing a reason. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 25.0, with results presented using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Respondents of the current study were between 18 to 27 years with a mean age of 22.7±1.8 years. The majority 249(61.3%) were Muslim and 349(85.9%) were single. Of the students, 214(52.7%) had psychological distress and a significant 296(72.9%) respondents had a positive attitude towards medical education but 223(54.9%) of them thought that their current study was not enough. Near cent 368(90.7%) had normal mental health before medical admission. Around 191(47.1%) students had no general anxiety disorder and only 27(6.7%) were required to have mental health services. A significant 256(63.1%) respondents consume good food quality and around half 183(45.1%) were non-smokers. Near one-fourth 96(23.6%) had a sedentary lifestyle. The majority 284(69.9%) of respondents maintain a good relationship with their Only 148(36.5%) had a low level of emotional exhaustion. Conclusion: Medical students were suffering from psychological distress. Students' mental health conditions were good before admission to medical college and some of them were required to have mental health services. Students were suffering from different types of mental health conditions. Students usually consume healthy and good-quality food while most of them are non-smokers. The majority of respondents had an active lifestyle and also good relations with their parents. A significant number had low levels of emotional exhaustion.

Nurses' Job Burnout and Resilience in Neonatal Intensive Care Units.

To assess the relationship between job burnout and resilience among nurses working in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in Oman. NICUs induce a significant amount of stress that predisposes nurses to a substantial degree of burnout. Resilience can play a role in reducing the effects of job burnout. A limited number of studies have examined job burnout and resilience among NICU nurses. A cross-sectional survey design was utilized. The Maslach Burnout Inventory was used to assess burnout, and the Brief Resilience Scale was used to assess perceptions of resilience. Pearson correlation was used to assess the relationship between job burnout and resilience. A total of 173 staff nurses participated. Participants reported low levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization but moderate levels on the personal accomplishment subscale. Nurses reported moderate levels of resilience. Emotional exhaustion and depersonalization were negatively correlated with resilience, while personal accomplishment was positively correlated with resilience. This study demonstrated that enhancing resilience can reduce the effect of burnout among NICU nurses. Enhancing levels of resilience among NICU nurses, in addition to providing adequate managerial support and good collegial relations, is essential to reduce their perceived job burnout.

Are student engagement and disaffection important for teacher well-being? A longitudinal examination of between- and within-person effects

Although a lot is known about how teachers influence student motivation, evidence on the importance of student engagement for teacher well-being is lacking. In addition, studies investigating the effects of student behavior on teachers have mostly focused on the between-person perspective while neglecting the within-person processes. Thus, in the present study, we examined longitudinal associations between perceived student behavioral and emotional engagement and disaffection and teacher well-being (i.e., job satisfaction and emotional exhaustion) by acknowledging their fluctuating nature and investigating the associations at both the between- and within-person levels. Specifically, we conducted a full-panel four-wave longitudinal study involving 1141 secondary school teachers and employed a random-intercept cross lagged panel modeling approach to analyze the data. At the between-person level, teachers who perceived their students as being more emotionally and behaviorally engaged, but less emotionally and behaviorally disaffected, tended to have higher levels of job satisfaction and lower levels of emotional exhaustion. At the within-person level, higher than usual levels of student emotional engagement were concurrently associated with higher than usual levels of job satisfaction and lower than usual levels of emotional exhaustion, whereas the associations concerning disaffection showed the opposite pattern. Regarding the longitudinal spill-over effects at the within-person level, behavioral and emotional engagement positively predicted job satisfaction whereas behavioral disaffection negatively predicted job satisfaction and positively predicted emotional exhaustion. Our results highlight the importance of student motivation for shaping teacher occupational well-being and indicate that efforts aimed at increasing student motivation could also be beneficial to teachers.

Frequency of Burnout Syndrome in Doctors during COVID-19 Pandemic in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Objective: To determine the frequency of burnout syndrome in junior doctors who worked in COVID 19 units of a tertiary care hospital. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration: The study was conducted at Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College Karachi by the Department of Community Medicine during 1st August 2020 to 30th June 2021. Methodology: The study population was house officers, interns, medical officers and junior residents working solely in COVID 19 isolation wards, high dependency units and intensive care units. The data was collected on structured questionnaire which had sections of socio-demography and Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services survey (MBI-HSS). MBI-HSS is reliable and validated tool for assessment of burnout syndrome. It evaluates three sub-dimensions of burnout that is emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP) and low personal accomplishment (PA). Data analysis was done on SPSS version 21. Results: Total 106 doctors were working in different COVID 19 units and all of them had participated in the study. Majority were females and young. Around 55% of participants had high emotional exhaustion scores. All the participants had high (>9) depersonalization scores, and low (<32) personal accomplishment scores. Doctors working less than eight hours a day had low levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization scores and high personal accomplishment as compared to doctors working more than eight hours a day. There was no significant difference in scores among the designations of junior doctors. Conclusion: The health authorities need to take supportive measures to improve mental health of workers for attaining better health outcomes. Keywords: Burnout Syndrome, Maslach Burnout Inventory, Healthcare Workers, COVID 19, Doctors, Tertiary Care. How to Cite This: Siddiqui AF, Abidi SS ,Zainab S ,Quershi K ,Khoso A. Frequency of Burnout Syndrome in Doctors during COVID-19 Pandemic in a Tertiary Care Hospital. Isra Med J. 2023; 15(2): 60-64. DOI: https://doi.org/10.55282/imj.oa1357

Mental health differences in medical students based on curriculum and gender

BackgroundThe prevalence of mental health struggles among students in medical school is widely reported; however, little is known about how it is impacted by the medical school curriculum. This study aimed to evaluate differences in anxiety, depression, and emotional exhaustion in medical students based on gender, class year, and curriculum.MethodsAn anonymous online survey consisting of questions from established, validated questionnaires about demographics, anxiety, depression, emotional exhaustion, and personal health behaviors was sent to 817 medical students who attended Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine during the Spring of 2021. When applying to this school, each of these students had the option to choose either the problem-based learning (PBL) or lecture-based learning (LBL) curriculum track.ResultsThe survey was completed by 222 students. Females experienced higher levels of anxiety, depression, and emotional exhaustion than males. Students in the PBL had lower levels of emotional exhaustion than their peers in the LBL. Increase in emotional exhaustion was most pronounced between 1st and 2nd year students. Emotional exhaustion was inversely correlated with sleep and exercise.ConclusionsOn average, students who were either male or in the PBL curriculum experienced less mental distress in the form of anxiety, depression, and emotional exhaustion than their peers. While gender continues to be an established factor in how mental distress is experienced, the reduced levels of emotional exhaustion in PBL students is a novel finding that can potentially shed light on how to better optimize medical education. Despite the inherent selection bias and lower number of PBL students, to our knowledge, this is the first study comparing two different curricula within a single institution. This finding along with a focus on good sleep and exercise habits may provide a path for improving mental health in medical students.

The Impact of Work-Related Problems on Burnout Syndrome and Job Satisfaction Levels among Emergency Department Staff.

Burnout syndrome is caused by a number of factors, including personal, organizational, and professional problems. The purpose of this study was to investigate burnout and satisfaction levels among emergency department staff in the context of professional activity issues. We studied a sample of 184 participants working in the emergency department. Participants signed an informed consent form, completed a socio-demographic questionnaire and the MBI-HSS (MP) questionnaire to assess burnout, a JSS (Job Satisfaction Survey) to assess their professional satisfaction, and the AWS (AWS of work survey) questionnaire on work aspects. The questionnaires were completed between November 2022 and March 2023. The study group was aged between 24-64 years old, most of the subjects being female. The study found that 30.2% of emergency medical staff are at high risk of burnout. Emotional exhaustion is indirectly proportional to workload, interpersonal relationships, and rewards. Emotional exhaustion is a direct result of work experience. While participants expressed ambivalence and dissatisfaction with the work environment, they were satisfied with the nature of their work. This study found that job-related factors such as social support and feedback are significant predictors of employee well-being and reducing the risk of burnout. Emotional exhaustion was negatively correlated with job satisfaction, while personal accomplishment was positively correlated with job satisfaction. Depersonalization was associated with job dissatisfaction with operating conditions and coworkers. The study also identified differences in burnout and related constructs among healthcare professionals, with resident physicians reporting higher levels of personal accomplishments and paramedics reporting relatively low levels of emotional exhaustion. The findings suggest that tailored interventions addressing job demands and resources are critical in improving employee well-being and reducing burnout.

Job Burnout and Job Satisfaction among Healthcare Service Providers in a Daycare Center for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Low-Resource Settings

Job satisfaction and burnout are components of job morale. In general, and among healthcare provider personnel, these are psychological factors of the job and under the influence of different conditions and the organizational management of the healthcare systems. Both job burnout and job satisfaction among healthcare service providers have received scant attention in the literature, particularly in the healthcare systems of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) as one low- or middle-income country (LMIC). The burnout rate and job satisfaction in a daycare center for children with autism spectrum disorders were reviewed and measured using a sample consisting of 34 employees from three different sections. The Maslach Burnout Inventory-Third Edition (MBI-3) and the Job Descriptive Index (JDI) were used. The relationships between the two scales and their consisting factors were examined using Pearson Correlation and Chi-square test to understand the correlation and levels of significant difference between the expected and the observed frequencies. There was a significant negative correlation between job burnout and satisfaction with the job and some significant correlations between the factors of the scales. Lower levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization factors of the burnout scale were statistically correlated. It was shown that the personnel were mainly satisfied with their jobs through their choices in the four parts of the job satisfaction scale. Further investigations are needed to understand different contributing factors to job satisfaction and burnout among healthcare providers in KRI. The current study might highlight the importance of understanding the healthcare providers' perspectives on their careers.

Doctors’ perceived working conditions, psychological health and patient care: a meta-analysis of longitudinal studies

ObjectivesStudies have demonstrated an association between doctors’ perceived working conditions, and their psychological well-being and patient care. However, few have examined inter-relationships among these three domains, and even fewer using...

Assessing burnout among Obstetrics & Gynecology residents during night float versus day float in a large academic hospital

BackgroundThe prevalence estimates of burnout among residents vary widely. Resident physicians working overnight have additional stressors and therefore, may be at higher risk of developing burnout.ObjectiveTo determine the rates of burnout among residents working night rotations versus day rotations.MethodsThis is a prospective, cross sectional, survey-based assessment of the prevalence of burnout among Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN) residents on nights versus days rotations conducted at a large academic residency program that spans two separate hospitals in New York. All residents in the residency program were asked to complete the Maslach Burnout Inventory – Human Services Survey for Medical Personnel (MBI-HSS (MP)) after the first rotation of the academic year in 2018, 2019, and 2020. The results for each of the three aspects of the MBI-HSS (MP): emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment, were then compared for those on nights versus day rotations using students t-test.ResultsA total of 76 responses were received, 13 from residents on night rotations and 63 from residents on day rotations with a response rate of 61.8%. Comparing resident responses for a night versus day rotation, the residents averaged a low level of emotional exhaustion (a score of 17 ± 9) on day shift, compared to a moderate level of emotional exhaustion (a score of 18 ± 14) on nights (p = 0.37). Similarly, 55.6% of respondents reports low personal accomplishment on days, compared to 76.9% while on nights.ConclusionsEmotional exhaustion scores were lower for residents on daytime rotations (mean score 17, SD 9), compared to those on nights rotations (mean 18, SD 14). Although there was no difference in depersonalization when comparing the day and night shift, 45% of the responses indicated high levels of depersonalization regardless of the type of shift. These results highlight the need to continue efforts to minimize burnout in medical training.

Determinants of professional burnout of special school employees

The aim of the research was to diagnose the phenomenon of professional burnout of special school employees. The research was conducted among employees of special schools in the Opolskie Voivodeship. The method used in the research was a diagnostic survey. The research tool was selected by adapting the Maslach's occupational burnout questionnaire for the research purposes. Considering all three dimensions of professional burnout, the results of the research show that the dominant group is the group of people with a low level of emotional exhaustion, low depersonalization and a high level of reduced sense of personal achievements. In all three dimensions of professional burnout, no statistically significant difference was observed between women and men working in special schools. Age, professional experience and the degree of professional promotion are factors correlating with emotional exhaustion and risk factors increasing the depersonalised approach to their charges. Special school teachers work at different levels of education, but this is not related to the professional burnout. The number of subjects they teach influences the symptoms of the burnout process. Employees of special schools are not a burned out group because none of the respondents meets the criterion of full-blown professional burnout, i.e. has a high level of emotional exhaustion, a high level of depersonalization and a reduced sense of personal achievements. At the same time, they are a group with a very reduced sense of personal achievements, as it is declared by as many as 98.10% of the respondents. Therefore, actions should be taken to change the perception of employees and teachers about their work or to look at the criteria that are used to evaluate (or self-evaluate) their work. If a different method of research were used, the conclusions could be slightly different, even completely different.

Does it pay off to act conscientiously, both now and later? Examining concurrent, lagged, and cumulative effects of state conscientiousness

Although previous research has shown that both trait and state conscientiousness are positively associated with a wide range of positive life and work outcomes, some studies indicate that acting in a conscientious way is effortful, and that behaving outside one’s conscientiousness related comfort zone (i.e., acting counterhabitual) may lead to cognitive or affective cost. Because these costs are not likely to be evident immediately, we examine how within-person fluctuations in conscientiousness relate to within-person fluctuations in emotional exhaustion, resource depletion, and negative affect, not only concurrently, but also in a delayed fashion and cumulated over time. In two experience sampling studies, we found that higher levels of conscientiousness are concurrently related to lower levels of emotional exhaustion, resource depletion, and negative affect. When looking at delayed effects, no conclusive evidence was found for affective or cognitive costs of (counterhabitual) conscientiousness. Finally, analyzing cumulative effects revealed that repeated negative deviations from one’s typical level of conscientiousness were positively associated to exhaustion, depletion, and negative affect, while repeated positive deviations were negatively associated with depletion and unrelated to exhaustion and negative affect. Altogether, our findings suggest that self-rated conscientious behavior is generally beneficial, even if this behavior goes against one’s typical behavior.

Investigating the links between diagnostic uncertainty, emotional exhaustion, and turnover intention in General Practitioners working in the United Kingdom.

BackgroundGeneral Practitioners (GPs) report high levels of burnout, job dissatisfaction, and turnover intention. The complexity of presenting problems to general practice makes diagnostic uncertainty a common occurrence that has been linked to burnout. The interrelationship between diagnostic uncertainty with other factors such as burnout, job satisfaction and turnover intention have not been previously examined.ObjectivesTo examine associations between diagnostic uncertainty, emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP), job satisfaction, and turnover intention in GPs.MethodsSeventy general practices in England were randomly selected through the Oxford-Royal College of General Practitioners Research and Surveillance Centre (RCGP-RSC). A total of 348 GPs within 67 these practices completed a 10-item online questionnaire which included questions on GP characteristics, work-life balance, job satisfaction, sickness presenteeism, diagnostic uncertainty, turnover intention as well as EE and DP. Associations between diagnostic uncertainty and each of EE, DP, job satisfaction, and turnover intention were evaluated in multivariate mixed-effect ordinal logistic regressions whilst adjusting for covariates, to account for the correlation in the three outcomes of interest.ResultsAlmost one-third of GPs (n = 101; 29%) reported experiencing >10% of diagnostic uncertainty in their day-to-day practice over the past year. GPs reporting greater diagnostic uncertainty had higher levels of EE [OR = 3.90; 95% CI = (2.54, 5.99)], job dissatisfaction [OR = 2.01; 95% CI = (1.30, 3.13)] and turnover intention [OR = 4.51; 95% CI = (2.86, 7.11)]. GPs with no sickness presenteeism had lower levels of EE [OR = 0.53; 95% CI = (0.35, 0.82)], job dissatisfaction [OR = 0.56; 95% CI = (0.35, 0.88)], and turnover intention [OR = 0.61; 95% CI = (0.41, 0.91)].ConclusionDiagnostic uncertainty may not only negatively impact on the wellbeing of GPs, but could also have adverse implications on workforce retention in primary care.

Risk and Protective Factors of Emotional Exhaustion in Teachers. A Moderating Mediation on Emotional Exhaustion

Emotional exhaustion negatively influences teachers’ professional development. The main aim of this study was to analyze how the perception of attention to diversity, emotional dissonance, and social support were related to emotional exhaustion. To carry out this study, 567 teachers (64.9% women, mean age = 44.80, SD = 0.48) answered a questionnaire. Emotional dissonance mediated the relationships that established with emotional exhaustion the perception of attention to diversity (a) derived from special educational needs and (b) derived from cultural diversity. These mediations were moderated by social support, by confirming the interaction effect between social support and (a) the perception of attention to cultural diversity and (b) emotional dissonance. Teachers’ perceptions of having to attend to diversity and not being able to express the real emotions they feel to students are stressor factors that influence emotional exhaustion levels. Moreover, social support acts as a protective factor that diminishes the negative effects of perception of attention to diversity and emotional dissonance on emotional exhaustion. These results highlight the need to promote strong support networks in educational settings within the center’s cloister, to stimulate a healthier educational environment that reverts to lower levels of emotional exhaustion among teachers.

Profiles of lateral violence in nursing personnel of the Spanish public health system.

BackgroundWorkplace violence in healthcare settings has long been studied in scientific literature, particularly in the nursing profession. Research has explored mostly user violence probably for its high prevalence and impact on health and job satisfaction. Yet this focus may overshadow another dangerous type of workplace violence: coworker violence. Exerted by co-workers with similar status, lateral violence differs from that yielded by a co-worker with a higher rank, known as vertical. This study aims to deepen the knowledge about lateral violence perceived by nurses and its interaction with other variables commonly associated with workplace violence in healthcare: burnout, job satisfaction, and self-perceived health.MethodA random block sampling was performed, prompting a total sample of 925 nursing professionals from 13 public hospitals located in the southeast of Spain. The sample distribution (mean and standard deviation) and the response percentages according to the study variables of the ad-hoc questionnaire were analyzed and classified with cluster analysis.ResultsThrough the cluster analysis, two subgroups were obtained: Cluster 1, composed of 779 participants, with low scores in the variables used for the classification, high levels of both extrinsic and intrinsic satisfaction, low levels of emotional exhaustion and cynicism, and low rates of somatization, anxiety, social dysfunction and depression; and Cluster 2, composed of 115 participants and characterized by moderate-high scores in the variables used for the classification, moderate extrinsic satisfaction, and low intrinsic satisfaction, high emotional exhaustion and cynicism and lower somatization, anxiety, social dysfunction, and depression scores. Excluded cases amounted to 31.ConclusionNursing professionals who experience lateral violence reveal a lower intrinsic satisfaction, feeling less self-accomplished in their job, and less positive work experience. Emotional exhaustion rises as a concerning progressive and long-term outcome of experiencing this type of violence.

Recognition of radiographers in the workplace: Why it matters

IntroductionRecognition of radiographers’ work has received limited research attention to date, notably its link with wellbeing at work (i.e., job and career satisfaction) and emotional exhaustion. This research focuses on these links and examines more precisely the mediational psychological mechanism (i.e., professional identification) that could explain these relationships. MethodsThis was a cross-sectional, quantitative study with data obtained through an online survey. The sample comprised 713 radiographers working in France. Structural equation modeling was used to test the mediational model. ResultsResults of structural equation analysis suggest that radiographers who perceive more professional recognition from their supervisors, colleagues and patients are those who identify most with their profession and who are most satisfied by their job and their career; they also show lower levels of emotional exhaustion. These results underline the crucial role of recognition in the workplace for these professionals. ConclusionRecognition is one of the basic needs of an individual, and satisfying this need is a crucial issue for organizations. This paper focuses on the importance of recognition for radiographers, notably to protect their psychological health and increase their well-being at work and in their professional career. Practical implicationsHealth organizations and supervisors should be aware of the importance of recognizing radiographers’ work in order to improve their psychological health, enhance their perceived quality of life at work, and have a positive perception of their career and their work.

A qualitative study on safety perception among healthcare workers of a tertiary academic care center during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

BackgroundProtecting healthcare workers (HCWs) from exposure to SARS-CoV-2 during patient care is central to managing the current pandemic. Higher levels of trust in personal protective equipment (PPE) and infection prevention and control (IPC) strategies have been previously related to lower levels of emotional exhaustion, yet little is known on how to achieve such a perception of safety. We thus sought to identify institutional actions, strategies and policies related to HCWs’ safety perception during the early phase of the pandemic at a tertiary care center in Switzerland by interviewing HCWs from different clinics, professions, and positions.MethodsFor this qualitative study, 36 face-to-face semi-structured interviews were performed. Interviews were based on a guide that addressed the perception of institutional strategies and policies during the first phase of the pandemic in March 2020. The participants included doctors (n = 19) and nurses (n = 17) in senior and non-senior positions from eight clinics in the University Hospital Basel, Switzerland, all involved in patient care. All interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis and organized using MAXQDA (VERBI Software GmbH, Berlin).FindingsFive recurring themes were identified to affect HCWs’ perception of their safety during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: (1) transparency and clarity of information, (2) communication on the availability of PPE (with the provision of information alone increasing the feeling of safety even if supplies of PPE were reported as low), (3) uniformity and consistency of guidelines, (4) digital resources to support face-to-face teaching (although personal information transfer is still being considered superior in terms of strengthening safety perception) and (5) support and appreciation for the work performed.ConclusionsThis study identifies institutional policies and actions influencing HCWs’ safety perception during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the most important of which is the factor of transparent communication. This knowledge reveals potential areas of action critical to improving preparedness and management in hospitals faced with an infectious disease threat.

Assessment of Resident Burnout After Formalization of Wellness Program.

Burnout has reached epidemic levels among resident physicians. Characterized by emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization, and feelings of inefficacy, burnout negatively affects patient outcomes, increases costs, and decreases physician quality of life. These negative outcomes catalyze leaders in graduate medical education to address burnout and reverse its trends. The primary aim of this project is to design a residency Wellness Program utilizing the facets of physician wellness, assess levels of burnout among resident physicians, and determine the program's effects on burnout. A Wellness Program was formalized at a Midwestern, military-civilian Obstetrics and Gynecology residency program for the 2019-2020 academic year. Resident wellness and perceptions were assessed at three time points (0, 6, and 12 months) through surveys consisting of free response, yes-no questions, and the Maslach Burnout Inventory Scales. On average, 17 of 24 residents completed all three survey assessments. Perception of the residency program prioritization of wellness increased significantly from 52.9% to 94.4% (P = .007). Residents consistently demonstrated burnout throughout the year with low levels of EE, high levels of depersonalization, and moderate levels of personal achievement. Residents were consistently satisfied with their personal wellness (80%-92.9%) during the program. Residents wanted to see physical activity incorporated into the program. This study assessed burnout during a formalization of a Wellness Program and insight on resident perceptions and wellness requests. Military medicine, graduate medical education, and other residency programs can utilize this research to better develop and study the implementation of wellness initiatives aimed at reducing burn out.

ПРОФЕССИОНАЛЬНАЯ ИДЕНТИЧНОСТЬ И УДОВЛЕТВОРЕННОСТЬ ПРОФЕССИОНАЛЬНОЙ ДЕЯТЕЛЬНОСТЬЮ КАК ФАКТОРЫ БЛАГОПОЛУЧИЯ НА РАБОЧЕМ МЕСТЕ

Background. Th e present paper discusses the relevance of identifying oneself with a professionalism, the attitude to the profession and the role in the professional activity as an integral characteristic of the professional identity among representatives of diff erent positions. Objective. Th e identifi cation of the relationship between the professional identity and satisfaction with professional activities (work process, working conditions, organization, choice of profession, etc.) and well-being in the workplace among representatives of various positions. Sample. 11 558 employees (7,373 women, 63.8%, and 4,175 men, 36.2%) of a large energy company in the Russian Federation. Methods. Th e participants fi lled in the questionnaire on the components of job satisfaction, the scales of the work involvement, the boredom at the workplace, the emotional exhaustion and initiative. Results. Th e representatives of diff erent positions are most satisfi ed with the benefi ts of their work for people, with their choice of profession and the profession itself and the labour process but they are less satisfi ed with the working conditions, payment, management and professional prospect. As for representatives of all the positions, involvement in the work, a low level of boredom and emotional exhaustion and initiative depend on not only the satisfaction with working conditions, payment, management and the professional prospect but also on the satisfaction with the choice of profession, the profession itself, its content, the benefi t to people and the labour process. Conclusion. Regardless of the position and satisfaction with working conditions, the satisfaction with the choice of profession, its content and benefi ts for people and the labour itself predict the involvement in work, initiative, a low level of emotional exhaustion and the boredom at work.