Burnout, a term that has risen in the last few years, happens when you experience too much stress or pressure for too long, often in your job or other responsibilities.
This constant stress can leave you feeling exhausted, both physically and emotionally. You might also start feeling disconnected from your work, losing motivation or passion, and even doubting your abilities. In short, burnout makes it hard to enjoy life and can impact your overall well-being and performance in various aspects of life.
The pandemic, a period that we can all agree was the epitome of stress across the world, has also brought challenges and work overload to the healthcare workers.
A recent study explored the prevalence of burnout and intent to leave among various healthcare roles during the pandemic and the association between work overload and these factors.
The study, conducted by Lisa S. Rotenstein MD, MBA, Roger Brown PhD, Christine Sinsky MD, and Mark Linzer MD, involved a sample of 43,026 individuals from 206 organizations representing diverse healthcare roles, including physicians, nurses, clinical, and non-clinical staff.
The results provided essential insights into the impact of work overload on burnout and intent to leave during the COVID-19 pandemic.
High Burnout and Intent to Leave Rates:
The study revealed an overall burnout rate of 49.9%, with the highest burnout rates observed among nursing (56.0%) and other clinical staff (54.1%). Intent to leave (ITL) was reported by 28.7% of healthcare workers, with nurses most likely to report ITL (41.0%).
Association of Work Overload with Burnout and Intent to Leave:
The research identified a significant association between work overload and burnout and intent to leave across various healthcare roles. Work overload was prevalent, ranging from 37.1% among physicians to 47.4% in other clinical staff. The findings emphasize the importance of addressing work overload and its impact on healthcare workers’ well-being during these challenging times.
The study highlights the high rates of burnout and intent to leave across healthcare roles during the COVID-19 pandemic. Addressing work overload across multiple role types is crucial for mitigating concerning trends in the healthcare workforce.
This requires a deeper understanding of the sources of work overload across different role types and a commitment to matching work demands to capacity for all healthcare workers. By focusing on the well-being of healthcare workers, we can help ensure the quality and availability of healthcare services while promoting role sustainability for those who remain in the field.
